Liquid removal system which is compressible in the longitudinal and/or in the transverse direction
The present invention provides a liquid removal system for applications where there is a need for liquid removal including laboratories and workshops as well as medical applications as well as dental applications. The liquid removal system exhibits improved wearing comfort by comprising an interface device which is compressible in the longitudinal and/or transverse dimension.
1. A liquid removal system which comprises an interface device, said interface device comprising a first zone and a second zone and having a porous membrane separating said first zone from said second zone, said second zone being adapted to be connected to a suction source, said porous membrane being capable of maintaining a suction in said second zone without permitting air from said first zone to pass through said membrane into said second zone when said membrane has been wetted with a first liquid; said suction being maintained until said membrane is contacted with a second liquid; and wherein said second liquid upon entering said first zone and contacting said porous membrane is removed from said first zone by said suction in said second zone by passing through said membrane into said second zone said first zone having a user facing surface, said second zone having a back surface, characterized in that said interface device is compressible in the longitudinal direction and/or is compressible in the transverse direction to less than 90 percent of its original dimension in that direction, wherein said second zone comprises a flexible support means and said second zone is enveloped by a flexible, liquid impermeable backsheet, wherein said flexible support means comprises a plurality of substantially incompressible elements, at least a portion of said plurality of substantially incompressible elements being freely movable inside said second zone.
2. A liquid removal system according to claim 1 , said user facing surface comprising a urine acquisition zone wherein at least said urine acquisition zone is covered by a soft, compliant topsheet.
3. A liquid removal system according to claim 2 wherein said topsheet is a carded nonwoven web material.
4. A liquid removal system according to claim 3 wherein said carded nonwoven web material is a high bulk nonwoven web material.
5. A liquid removal system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of substantially incompressible elements comprises elements selected from the group of spheres, Raschig rings, Pearl saddles.
6. A liquid removal system according to claim 1 wherein said flexible liquid impermeable backsheet comprises a layer of nonwoven web material on its outer surface.
7. A liquid removal system according claim 1 wherein said liquid removal system further comprises an external dam disposed onto the user facing surface of said first zone wherein said external dam comprises a liquid impermeable nonwoven barrier cuff.
8. A liquid removal system according to claim 7 wherein said nonwoven barrier cuff is vapor permeable.