U.S. patent application number 10/891637 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for fluid collection and aspiration unit for management of urinary incontinence.
Invention is credited to Michael Mahnensmith.
Application Number | 20060015080 10/891637 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35600424 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060015080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mahnensmith; Michael |
January 19, 2006 |
Fluid collection and aspiration unit for management of urinary
incontinence
Abstract
A flexible unit for collecting and transporting liquid to a
collection point or to an area of use, and especially for
facilitating management of urinary incontinence is provided which
includes a flexible pad adapted to be positioned under an
incontinent patient or worn under an undergarment. The pad is
provided with an outer liquid permeable polymeric film layer, an
outer liquid impermeable polymeric film layer and an intermediate
cellular layer made up of a series of individual, spaced, thin
wall, liquid impermeable polymeric cells. An aspiration assembly is
connected to the pad for removing urine from the interior of the
pad, which collects in the spaces between the individual cells. A
disposable porous sheet, preferably comprising Dry-Weave.RTM.
material, is releasably positioned over the outer permeable film
layer of the pad. The pad may be sanitized and reused multiple
times with only replacement of the Dry-Weave.RTM. sheet being
required.
Inventors: |
Mahnensmith; Michael;
(Lahaina, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
Suite 400
2405 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City
MO
64108-2519
US
|
Family ID: |
35600424 |
Appl. No.: |
10/891637 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2013/15154
20130101; A61F 5/48 20130101; A61F 13/15 20130101; A61F 2013/15056
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/327 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/00 20060101
A61M001/00 |
Claims
1. A vapor and/or liquid collection or delivery unit comprising: a
thin flexible pad of greater width than thickness and of selected
length has a liquid permeable first outer layer and a liquid
impermeable second outer layer cooperating to form an interior
space therebetween, the outer perimeter portions of the first and
second layers being joined to present a fluid tight seal, and an
intermediate cellular layer between the first and second layers,
said cellular layer being defined by a series of spaced,
side-by-side discrete liquid impermeable cellular components
between the first and second layers, each of said cellular
components containing entrapped fluid, which substantially
maintains the shape of each cellular component, said cellular
components collectively presenting inter-communicating liquid
passages between the cellular components; and a differential
pressure device communicating with the interior space of the pad
for introducing or removing vapor or liquid which passes through
the permeable first outer layer and collects in the passages
between the cellular structures.
2. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said cellular
components and the passages presented thereby extend from the
second layer to the first layer.
3. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cellular components
are made up of a series of individual, relatively thin wall, liquid
impermeable, polymeric cells containing entrapped air.
4. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided a liquid
permeable porous sheet in overlying relationship to said first
permeable outer layer.
5. A unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said porous sheet is
releasably affixed to said first permeable outer layer.
6. A unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein is provided a series of
couplers releasably affixing the porous sheet to the perimeter of
the pad.
7. A unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said couplers
comprises a snap fastener.
8. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pad is provided with
a plurality of grommets in the interconnected perimeter portions of
the first and second outer layers for receiving elongated elements
for affixing the pad to supporting structure underlying a
patient.
9. A unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said porous sheet is
resilient and has a normally innermost apertured polymeric film
layer, and a normally outermost polymeric film layer provided with
three-dimensional open ended liquid conveying capillary passages
communicating with the passages of said innermost polymeric film
layer, said passages being oriented to direct liquid deposited on
the outermost polymeric film layer via the capillary passages
therein to the innermost polymeric film layer for flow through the
apertures of the innermost polymeric layer.
10. A unit as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said capillary
passages is of generally conical configuration with the smallest
open end thereof directed toward said innermost polymeric film
layer of the porous sheet.
11. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cellular layer is a
bubble defining member.
12. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cellular layer has
an apertured planar portion adjacent the inner face of the
impermeable layer, and said discrete cellular components engage the
inner face of said permeable layer, the apertures in said planar
portion of the cellular layer being strategically located between
proximal cellular components.
13. A unit as set forth in claim 12 wherein the height dimension of
each of said cellular component between said first permeable outer
layer and the second impermeable outer layer is less than the width
and length dimension of each cellular component.
14. A unit as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cellular
components are arranged in generally parallel rows, with the
cellular components in each row being offset relative to the
cellular components of each row on opposite sides thereof.
15. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided a liquid
conduit connected to said second liquid impermeable layer and
communicating with said interior space between the first and second
layers.
16. A unit as set forth in claim 15 wherein is provided a vacuum
pump connected to said conduit.
17. A unit as set forth in claim 16 wherein is provided a liquid
collection vessel coupled to the conduit between the vacuum pump
and said flexible pad.
18. A unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein said vacuum pump has an
input connected to the liquid collection vessel and an output, and
a filter connected to the output of the vacuum pump.
19. A unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pad is of
rectangular configuration having a length dimension greater than
the width dimension thereof and of a size to be worn by a patient
suffering from incontinence beneath the patient's undergarment with
the liquid permeable layer positioned against the patient's
skin.
20. A unit as set forth in claim 19 wherein said pad is provided
with a liquid permeable porous sheet in overlying relationship to
said first permeable outer layer, and double sided sticky tape is
provided for releasably securing the porous sheet to said first
permeable outer layer of the pad.
21. A unit as set forth in claim 15 wherein is provided a pressure
pump connected to said conduit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to thin layer aspiration or perfusion
units for collecting vapors or liquids and transferring such fluids
to a receiving area. In its preferred form, the invention comprises
an aspiration unit for collecting and facilitating management of
urinary excretions by individuals that are incontinent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Management of excretions from incontinent patients is an
ongoing and largely unsolved problem, not only in hospital and
nursing home environments, but also for patients that are not
hospitalized or in a care facility. Lack of control over the
urinary function by incontinent patients who are not bedridden has
for the most part has required the patients to wear large adult
diaper pads which soon become fully sorbed and present an odor
problem.
[0003] In the case of a incontinent patient lying in bed, it has
largely been the practice to place an leakproof backed absorbent
pad under the patient. The pad soon becomes soaked and timely
changing of the soiled pad is often delayed, especially in those
instances where the patient is confined to a nursing home where
personnel are required to care for a large patient population that
is usually the case in a hospital setting. The patient is unable to
avoid contact with the wet pad, which is not only uncomfortable,
but also is odorous and unsanitary and can cause undesirable skin
conditions to occur such as rashes and sores.
[0004] Similarly, patients whose condition permits them to sit up
in a chair or wheelchair for extended periods of time likewise must
be provided with a pad to sit on to collect accidental urine
excretions. Here again, changing of a pad as soon as it becomes
soaked often cannot be accomplished by the patient and often
results in the patient sitting on the wet pad for an extended
period until a change out of the pad is ultimately accomplished
after an undesirable time interval.
[0005] One asserted solution to the incontinent patient problem is
shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,166. In this patent, a
pad is provided having an absorptive core encased within a
polyethylene cover in which the normally uppermost layer of the
cover is liquid permeable. A perforated tube centrally embedded in
the absorptive core is connected via a tube to a urine collection
vessel that is in turn coupled to a vacuum pump for withdrawing
liquid from the pad absorbed into the central core. The core of the
pad is described as having a number of perforated layers of
absorbent cellulose tissue in the upper portion of the pad adjacent
the upper, permeable layer of the cover, and a plurality of layers
of defiberized wood pulp fluff below the cellulose layers. Another
cellulose layer is provided below the layers of wood fiber fluff.
Alternatively, the core of the pad may be expanded cellulose
microcellular material.
[0006] Disadvantages of the system of the '166 patent include the
cost of the pad, the need to periodically replace the pad,
inability to effectively remove all of the liquid absorbed by the
core of the pad because a certain proportion of the urine will be
retained on the absorbent cellular material, the need for the
perforated tube embedded in the core to be relatively rigid in
order to preclude collapse of the perforations in the tube thereby
imparting a degree of rigidity to the pad, and the impracticality
of periodically cleaning the absorbent core of the pad with a
cleaning and sterilizing agent.
[0007] In addition to the problem of accumulating and disposing of
fluid wastes from a bedridden or disabled person, there is a long
standing need for inexpensive and efficient apparatus for
collecting a variety of fluids, or to deliver fluid from a source
to a relatively large surface area in a controlled low volume
perfusion transfer manner. Such areas of need include, as an
example, dispersion of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) in a shallow
subsurface underground installation serving as an alternative to a
conventional leachfield, to effect evaporation or vertical
dispersion of the water in a waste effluent solution, as well as to
provide underground irrigation water to the root systems of plants.
Another embodiment may be used to control oil slicks on ocean water
or the like, as well as aspirating oil out of sand. A further use
is to introduce cooled or heated air or water between the layers of
structural components such as multilayered roofs, walls or floors
to effect heating or cooling, or to provide positive or negative
buoyancy of floating structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A vapor and/or liquid collection unit may comprise a thin
flexible pad having a liquid permeable first outer polymeric layer
and a liquid impermeable second outer polymeric layer, which
cooperate to form an interior space. The outer perimeter portions
of the permeable and impermeable polymeric layers are heat sealed
to form a liquid tight pad. An intermediate cellular layer is
positioned in the interior space of the pad between the first
permeable outer layer and the liquid impermeable outer layer. The
cellular layer is defined by a series of spaced, side-by-side
discrete liquid impermeable cellular components containing an
entrapped fluid, such as air, which substantially maintains the
shape of each cellular component. Each of the cellular components
extend from the liquid impermeable outer layer to the permeable
outer layer of the pad. The cellular components collectively define
inter-communicating liquid passages between the cellular
components. These passages also extend from the liquid impermeable
outer layer to the permeable outer layer of the pad. The cellular
components preferably are made up of a series of individual, thin
wall, liquid impermeable, polymeric cells which are joined by a
common base sheet.
[0009] A disposable liquid permeable porous sheet may be
replaceably mounted in overlying relationship to the permeable
outer layer of the pad. In a preferred embodiment, the porous sheet
is of Dry-Weave.RTM. material which has a wicking action for
facilitating flow of urine that comes into contact with the porous
sheet to the outermost surface of the permeable outer layer of the
pad. Snap fasteners may be provided on the perimeter of the pad for
releasably affixing the porous sheet to the permeable outer layer
of the pad.
[0010] A flexible conduit or tube connected to the impermeable
layer of the pad, preferably in the center thereof,
inter-communicates the interior of the pad with a collection vessel
that in turn is operably coupled to an pressure differential
device, which for example may be an aspiration unit in the nature
of a vacuum pump. The outlet of the vacuum pump may also be joined
to a filter adapted to absorb odoriferous constituents in the air
emitted from the vacuum pump.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the vapor and/or liquid
collection unit, the cellular layer in the interior space between
the permeable outer layer and the impermeable outer layer of the
flexible pad comprises a bubble defining sheet consisting of a
series of impermeable cellular bubbles, which entrap air, and
therefore remain inflated during use of the unit and serve to
substantially maintain the integrity of the passages therebetween
so that liquid collecting in the pad may be readily and rapidly
removed from the interior space of the pad by the differential
pressure device. If used, at least two configurations of the
flexible pad hereof may be provided. In one configuration, the pad
may be square shaped and of dimensions to be used as a bed pad or
somewhat smaller as a chair pad. Alternatively, the pad may be of
rectangular shape and of a size to be worn by a non-bedridden
person beneath an undergarment. In addition, the bed or chair type
pads may be provided with grommet openings in the perimeter
openings thereof for receiving the hook of flexible retainers for
securing the pad in place on an underlying structure such as a bed,
or the seat of a chair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thin layer vapor or liquid
collection and aspiration unit for management of urinary
incontinence in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the
invention, with a corner of the disposable porous member, which
overlies the permeable layer of the pad, being lifted to reveal
details of the layer of the permeable pad normally overlying the
liquid permeable layer of the pad;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional
view of the pad as depicted in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pad and
schematically illustrating the aspiration assembly connected to the
underside of the pad;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a smaller pad than the pad
of FIG. 1 and that is adapted to be worn by a incontinent
individual; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional
view of the pad as shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED THIN LAYER FLUID COLLECTION
UNIT OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A unit 10 for facilitating management of urinary
incontinence is depicted in FIG. 3 and includes as its primary
component, a flexible pad 12. The pad 12 includes an outer liquid
impermeable layer 14 and a liquid permeable layer 16 in overlying
relationship to layer 14. The peripheral margins 14a of layer 14
and 16a of layer 16 of layers 14 and 16 are joined by a liquid
tight heat seal 18. The innermost face 14b of layer 14 and the
innermost face 16b of layer 16 within the confines of the heat seal
18 joining layers 14 and 16 define an interior space 20.
[0018] An intermediate cellular layer 22 is confined within
interior space 20 between innermost faces 14b and 16b of layers 14
and 16 respectively. Layer 22 is made up of a series of individual,
thin wall, liquid impermeable polymeric cells 24, which contain an
entrapped fluid, such as air, and that are integral with a
polymeric base sheet 26 as is apparent from FIG. 2. Each of the
cells 24 has liquid impermeable wall structure 28, which is
integral with base sheet 26, and that projects upwardly from sheet
26 into proximity to the innermost face 16b of layer 16. It is to
be observed from FIG. 2 that cells 24 in the illustrated embodiment
of the invention, are arranged in a series of parallel linear rows
with each of the cells 24 of each row being offset longitudinally
with respect to adjacent cells in proximal rows. It is to be
understood that the individual cells 24 may be of various
configurations, as for example, generally cylindrical or of
polygonal shape. Each of the cells 24 will be of generally pillow
shaped configuration until inserted into the space 20 and confined
between layers 14 and 16, whereupon the individual cells normally
would assume the shape thereof as shown in FIG. 2. The sheet
portion 26 of cellular layer 22 has a plurality of openings 34
therein aligned with passages 30 between cells 24.
[0019] The cells 24 of intermediate cellular layer 22 collectively
cooperate to define a grid-like series of inter-communicating
passages 30 which extend from the upper surface of layer 14 to the
underlying surface of impermeable layer 16 of pad 12. Cellular
layer 22 may most be conveniently and economically be a form of
bubble wrap in which each of the bubbles contains entrapped air so
that the bubbles essentially retain their shape when force is
applied to the upper face of the permeable upper layer 16 of pad
12.
[0020] The layers 14 and 16 of pad 12 are preferably fabricated of
9 mm thick polymeric material and the overall pad may have length
and width dimension of, for example, 28 in..times.28 in. for
hospital bed use, and 14 in..times.14 in. for use on the seat of a
chair or for wheel chair seat use. The upper layer 16 of pad 12 has
a plurality of openings 32 arranged in a gridlike pattern as shown
in FIG. 1. The openings 32 in permeable polymeric layer 16 may
strategically be located in a 1 in. spacing pattern and preferably
are pinhole size.
[0021] A porous sheet member 36 overlays the outermost face of
permeable layer 16 and is releasably secured to pad 12 by a series
of snap fasteners 38. As is most evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, each
of the snap fasteners 38 has a female portion 40 extending through
and carried by the peripheral margins 14a and 16a of layers 14 and
16, and a removable male portion 42, which affixes the sheet member
36 to pad 12. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, it is to be
observed that snap fasteners 38 are to be provided at each of the
corners of rectangular pad 12 and at points midway between the
corner snap fasteners 38.
[0022] The resilient porous sheet member 36 desirably is of
disposable material with Proctor & Gamble's Dry-Weave.RTM.
material being preferred because of its liquid wicking
characteristics. The Dry-Weave.RTM. sheet member 36 is shown
schematically in FIG. 2 and may for example have a normally
innermost apertured polymeric layer 44 and a normally outermost
film layer 46 provided with three-dimensional open ended liquid
conveying capillary passages 48 communicating with the passages of
the polymeric film layer 44. It is to be appreciated in this
respect that the passages 48 are shown schematically with only a
few of the passages only present being depicted for clarity, in
that Dry-Weave.RTM. material has a large number of such passages in
closely spaced relationship. The passages 48, for example, are each
configured to present generally conical surfaces oriented such that
the smallest open end thereof is directed toward the innermost
polymeric film layer 44 to enhance the wicking action of sheet
member 36.
[0023] A fitting 50 heat-sealed to the outer face of a central
portion of liquid impermeable layer 14 has L-shaped passage 52
therethrough which communicates with the interior space 20 of pad
12. An elongated flexible conduit 54, which for example, may be
latex or polymeric surgical hose, is affixed to fitting 50 and
communicates with passage 52. Conduit 54 leads to the input of a
liquid collection vessel 56 illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. A
tubular line 58 communicates the interior of liquid collection
vessel 56 with input port of a differential pressure device such as
a vacuum pump 60, also shown schematically in FIG. 3. If desired,
the air output port of vacuum pump 60 may be connected to a filter
unit 62 via line 64. Filter 62 is preferably of a type capable of
removing odoriferous agents contained in the air output from vacuum
pump 60. Alternatively, unit 10 may be provided with a positive
pressure pump in lieu of vacuum pump 60 for perfusion of sanitizing
fluid for sterilization and ultimate extraction and drying for
storage.
[0024] The pad 12 is also preferably provided with grommets 66 in
the corner areas of the pad permitting the hook portions of elastic
straps, such as bungee cords, to be inserted in respective grommets
66 and affixed to the underside of a supporting structure, such as
the patient's bed or components underlying a chair seat or a
wheelchair seat. In this manner, the position of the pad 12 will
maintain its flat condition even when a patient rests on the pad
and assures that the pad will not shift into a crumpled or folded
condition, which would be uncomfortable to the patient.
[0025] In use, the pad 12 of unit 10 is placed beneath the patient
on the surface of a bed or a chair or wheelchair seat, and
preferably affixed in a desirable position with suitable fasteners
such as bungee cords using the openings of grommet 66 for that
purpose. In the event of unintended urinary discharges by the
patient, the liquid is received on the surface of porous sheet
member 36. If the vacuum pump is activated, the vacuum created in
interior space 20 will cause the inadvertently discharged urine to
rapidly be drawn through the capillary passages 48 of porous sheet
member 36, the perforations in film layer 46, the openings 32 in
permeable layer 16 of pad 12, passages 30, openings 34 in base
sheet 26, the passage 52 through fitting 50 and conduit 54 leading
to collection vessel 56. It is noteworthy in this respect that
because of the inflated nature of cells 24, opposed innermost faces
of layers 14 and 16 of pad 12 will retain their desired spatial
relationship to prevent collapse of passages 30. In addition,
because of the inter-connected nature of passages 30 as defined by
the individual cells 24, there is no tendency for the urine to be
trapped in areas of pad 12 where the vacuum created by pump 60 is
incapable of removing the liquid from interior space 20.
[0026] It is also to be appreciated that although unit 10 is
illustrated as having its own separate vacuum source, such as
vacuum pump 60, in a hospital setting, line 58 may be connected to
the vacuum line normally present in the wall of the hospital
room.
[0027] Bed ridden patients can be repeatedly washed on the mats as
the excess liquid will be drawn away by the vacuum.
[0028] If desired, the porous sheet member 36 may be replaced as
necessary to maintain a sanitary environment free of undesirable
odors. This replacement may be accomplished by the simple expedient
of unfastening snap fasteners 38 and placing the new porous sheet
member 36 in place.
[0029] An important feature and advantage of the present invention
over previously available incontinent management devices is the
fact that the pad 36 may be repeatedly washed and cleaned with a
suitable deodorizing and sanitizing agent by connecting a
pressurized source of such agent to conduit 54 after removal of the
porous sheet member 36. Any excess liquid cleaning agent introduced
into interior space 20 of pad 12 will simply flow out through the
openings 32 in layer 16. Agent remaining in the interior space 20
of pad 12 following the treatment procedure may be removed by
recoupling vacuum pump 60 or a source of vacuum to line 58 which
will withdraw the sanitizing agent from pad 12.
Alternate Embodiment of the Invention
[0030] The pad 112 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings is
of construction similar to pad 12 except for its overall size and
the manner of attachment of the porous sheet member 136 to the
permeable layer 116 of pad 112. In order to permit wearing of pad
112 by an ambulatory patient under his or her undergarment, pad 112
is preferably of a size having overall dimensions of about 10
in..times.5 in. The porous sheet member 136, which is also
preferably Dry-Weave.RTM. material may be removably affixed to the
outermost face of permeable layer 116 by use of double-stick tape
located around the perimeter of the porous sheet member 136, and at
least at the corners of the sheet member 136. Although not shown in
FIG. 4, it is to be understood that pad 112 is adapted to be
connected to a collection vessel and vacuum pump similar to vessel
56 and pump 60, except for relative sizes, through the medium of a
conduit 154, which is again connected to the central portion of
liquid impermeable layer 114 of pad 112 through the medium of a
passage defining fitting 150. The perimeter margin 116a of layer
116 and perimeter margin of 114a of layer 114 are liquid tight heat
sealed as previously with respect to seal 18. The internal space
120 of pad 112 contains a cellular layer 122 preferably formed of
bubble wrap material identical in construction to cellular layer 22
described in detail herein above.
[0031] The operation and use of pad 112 is the same as described
with respect to pad 12 with the understanding that the liquid
collection vessel should be of such nature that it can be attached
by suitable means to the body of the patient and a battery
operated, commercially available, relatively small vacuum pump
provided as a source of vacuum. The porous sheet member 136 may be
removed and replaced as necessary by simply pulling on the pad to
displace the double-stick tape connection of the Dry-Weave.RTM.
sheet member 136 from layer 116 of pad 112. Sanitizing and
deodorizing of pad 112 may be accomplished in the same manner as
described with respect to pad 12.
[0032] In the case of pad 112, it is desirable that at least the
layer 114 of the pad be fabricated of a polymeric material which is
non-irritating to the skin of the user. In addition, in the
instance of a disposable pad 112, not intended for successive
reuses, a line of adhesive may be provided on the peripheral
portion of layer 114, which is normally protected by a peelable
paper protective strip. The patient can remove the protective strip
before positioning of the pad 112 thereby allowing the adhesive
line to cause the pad 112 to fully conform to the surface of the
patient's body and prevent leakage of liquid around the perimeter
edges of the pad 112.
Further Alternative Embodiments of the Invention
[0033] The thin layer aspiration or perfusion units for vapor
and/or liquid collection have utility for collection and transfer
vapors and liquids other than in the management of waste products
from an incontinent patient.
[0034] Exemplary in this respect is use of the units to distribute
septic tank treated effluent waste products from a home, a business
or a sewage treatment facility, through an array of shallowly
buried (8 to 12 inches deep), mats or pads (long rolls 8 to 20 feet
wide) serving as an alternative for a leachfield (to effect
vertical evaporation of the water portion of the effluent and to
provide nutrient at the base of roots of associated plants to
facilitate a Bio-Enhanced Treatment System (BETS). These industrial
units are preferably fabricated using heavy (industrial-grade)
plastic sheets. The units should include as component parts a
perforate top layer, a perforated bubble layer and an imperforate
bottom layer, an opening into the bottom layer and a tube connected
to that opening. The nature of the outer liquid impermeable layer
and the opposed liquid permeable layer of the unit, on opposite
sides of the intermediate cellular layer, as previously described,
remains the same, except in this instance, the porous Dry-Weave or
the like layer is omitted and the tube or tubes connected to the
lowermost impermeable layer of the assembled components is adapted
to be joined to a septic tank outflow pipe leading from a residence
or other source of waste effluent products. Because of the
construction of the individual layers, including the bubble layer,
each may be manufactured as a substantially continuous component
with the longitudinal opposed edges, and respective end edges being
joined to provide leak proof edge seals (e.g., long rolls of the
order of 8 to 20 feet wide).
[0035] Thus, by digging a wide, shallow, elongated trench in the
ground 10 to 12 inches deep, of a dimension that accommodates the
width of the dispersion unit selected, leveling the exposed surface
and unrolling the elongated dispersion unit in the trench with an
additional layer of gravel (2 to 3 inches) and soil thereover,
treated effluent waste from the septic tank of a residence, etc.,
delivered to the dispersion unit through the lower imperforate
layer will flow along the length and width of the dispersion unit
and then leak (perfuse) out through the various openings in the top
liquid permeable layer. It is contemplated that a pump be provided
in the treated effluent line leading to the dispersion unit to
positively direct treated effluent liquid to the inlet of the
dispersion unit in a controlled fashion. A buried holding vessel
having a liquid level controller may be provided in the treated
effluent line between the septic tank and the dispersion unit to
assure uniform delivery of treated effluent to the dispersion unit.
In addition, a number of dispersion units may be provided in the
underground leach bed with lines leading from the holding vessel to
respective dispersion units.
[0036] In this regard, it is to be understood that the openings
provided in the upper permeable layer are sized to provide for
proper and desired delivery of treated liquid effluent through the
top permeable layer that collects in the dispersion unit and is
received from the building's septic tank treated effluent drain
pipe (to effect vertical evaporation through the soil and delivery
of nutrient to plant roots). Furthermore, it is to be understood
that the sheets of polymeric film should be somewhat thicker (e.g.,
industrial grade) and the cells of the permeable cellular layer
normally are larger than the cells of the cellular layer used in
the unit for managing urinary excretions of individuals. The cells
of the intermediate permeable layer which contain trapped air
prevent the dispersion unit from collapsing even when a layer of
gravel (2 to 3 inches) and then dirt (up to 12 inches) is filled in
over the top of the buried dispersion unit.
[0037] An underground dispersion unit similar to the one just
described for delivery of treated effluent waste liquid products to
a shallow leach bed, may be used to direct fresh irrigation water
to the roots of plants. The fresh water underground watering unit
normally would not be buried along with layers of gravel and
typically would be of a smaller size than the size of the septic
field dispersion units. In that connection, it is to be recognized
that the fresh water dispersion unit may be sized as appropriate
for outdoor watering of plants, as well as for indoor use with
plotted plants and the like. Again, a pump is preferably provided
to direct the irrigation water to the dispersion unit for delivery
through the perforate unit to the surrounding ground.
[0038] Alternatively, heated and cooled water or air may be
introduced and recollected between layers of gunnite sprayed or
poured concrete multi-layered walls, buildings, roofs, ceilings and
floors by placing an imperforate dispersion unit plumbed with inlet
and outlet only as described, between the layers of the walls,
roofs, floors, etc., thus permitting heated or cooled water or air
to be introduced uniformly across the surface area and withdrawn.
In addition, a perforated dispersion unit as described herein with
perforate layer out board may be laminated near the outer surface
in a concrete structure such that liquid that is introduced into
and then passes through the dispersion unit is expelled from a
perforated layer thereof so that it may then weep outwardly into
and through the concrete to effect evaporation of the water and
consequent cooling of the concrete. In this manner, heating and air
conditioning requirements for confined building spaces may be
decreased as a result of the heated/cooled air or water being
supplied into such spaces via a unit of this invention.
[0039] The same type of multi-layered unit used for the dispersion
of treated effluent waste liquid in a leach bed, watering of plants
and introducing treated water or air into building structural
components is also useful in collecting oil from an oil slick
released onto the surface of a lake, ocean or another body of
water. Conventional inflated tubular rolls are placed around the
perimeter of the oil slick and then one or more of the units
described herein as having a permeable layer, an intermediate
cellular layer and an opposed impermeable layer, are oriented such
that the perforated layer faces downward so that the oil floating
on the surface of the water is pulled into the interior of the unit
through the permeable layer openings. A tube joined to and
communicating with the upper imperforate layer of the unit is
connected to an aspiration device which causes the oil to be drawn
into the dispersion/aspiration unit where it collects in the
perforated bubble layer of the unit between the lower permeable
layer and the upper impermeable layer. This collected oil is then
withdrawn through a tube connected to the aspiration device, and
then directed to a suitable collection point or device.
[0040] The multi-layered units of this invention are useful in a
variety of veterinary and agriculture applications, e.g., use under
animals during transport to collect urinary out put in transit.
Incorporation or placement of a multi-layered unit as described
herein in an indoor cat litter box will thereby eliminate tons of
used cat litter now going into landfills annually. Additionally,
these multi-layered mats can be placed under leaky hazardous waste
containers for spill containment during storage or transport.
[0041] It is therefore apparent that the present device is operable
to collect a vapor or a liquid product or to deliver a product to a
suitable site either by suction created by an aspiration device or
under perfusion pressure using a pressure pump. In all instances,
the perforated bubble layer prevents the unit from collapsing,
regardless of whether a negative pressure or a positive pressure is
applied to the unit. An elongated roll unit as described herein and
adapted for vertical evaporative dispersion of treated sewage
effluent may be manufactured of any desired length and width, and
can even be supplied in roll form with the installer cutting
segments from the roll of selected lengths and then sealing the
transverse edges in the field using a conventional thermal sealing
device.
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