Pliable-pad for collecting and absorbing liquids

Abstract

A pliable pad includes a layer formed of an absorbent material and a formable material arranged generally parallel to each other. The selected formable material, such as aluminum foil, is capable of assuming a desired shape and of retaining the desired shape which has been assumed. As a result, the formable material can be shaped so that the pliable pad defines a basin for collecting and absorbing liquids. The pliable pad can also include one or more layers for defining a liquid barrier. The pliable pad can be used to collect excess liquid produced during a medical procedure, such as the irrigation of a wound, or can be used in other, non-medical applications in which liquid is to be collected.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting and absorbing spilled liquid, comprising: 
 a layer formed of an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is capable of absorbing the liquid; and    a formable material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material, wherein the formable material is formed of a bendable material which is capable of retaining a shape assumed by the formable material after shaping, and wherein the formable material has a generally planar configuration before shaping.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material initially has a generally planar configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material initially has a generally pillow shaped configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group of absorbent materials consisting essentially of superabsorbent polymers, absorbent fabrics, absorbent gauze, cotton and pulp materials.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer of the absorbent material has a thickness in a range of from about ⅛ to about ¼ inches.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer of the absorbent material has a thickness in a range of from about 1 to about 2 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes a support mated with the apparatus to raise an object placed on the apparatus.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the support is positioned over the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the support is positioned beneath the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material has lateral edges and a defined area, wherein the formable material has a defined area, and wherein the area of the formable material is greater than the area of the absorbent material so that the formable material extends beyond the edges of the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material has lateral edges and a defined area, wherein the formable material has a defined area, and wherein the area of the formable material is approximately equal to the area of the absorbent material so that the formable material is substantially coextensive with the edges of the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material has lateral edges and a defined area, wherein the formable material has a defined area, and wherein the area of the absorbent material is greater than the area of the formable material so that the edges of the layer formed of the absorbent material extend beyond the formable material.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material has a defined area including a center, wherein the formable material has a defined area including a center, and wherein the center for the layer formed of the absorbent material substantially corresponds with the center for the formable material.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is selected from the group of shape-retaining members consisting essentially of thin aluminum sheets, aluminum foils, metal wires, metal rods and metal bands.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is attached to the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the formable material includes edges which are bent over the layer formed of the absorbent material to mechanically attach the formable material and the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is crinkled.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is formed to assume a desired configuration prior to use of the apparatus.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the formable material includes a pre-formed rolled portion.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the formable material includes a pre-formed folded portion.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein portions of the formable material are interconnected to facilitate deployment of the apparatus.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the interconnected portions of the formable material are positioned at corners of the apparatus.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the interconnected portions of the formable material are seams connecting different portions of the formable material to one another.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein an adhesive joins the interconnected portions of the formable material.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein a weld joins the interconnected portions of the formable material.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein a mechanical connection joins the interconnected portions of the formable material.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein a fold joins the interconnected portions of the formable material.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein a crimp joins the interconnected portions of the formable material.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes a liquid barrier material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material and the formable material.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the liquid barrier material is a sheet, a film or a coating selected from the group of liquid-impervious materials consisting essentially of vinyl, polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the liquid barrier material is a plurality of layers formed of the liquid barrier material.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  which further includes a support positioned between the plural layers formed of the liquid barrier material, to raise an object placed on the apparatus.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material is comprised of plural members formed of the absorbent material and positioned adjacent to the support.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein a layer formed of the liquid barrier material is coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of claim . 29  wherein a layer formed of the liquid barrier material is coupled with the formable material.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the liquid barrier material is a sheet disposed beneath the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material is attached to the sheet forming the liquid barrier material.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 1  having plural layers of the formable material.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein at least one layer of a liquid barrier material is positioned between the plural layers of the formable material.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is enclosed by at least one sheet of material.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the at least one sheet of material which encloses the formable material is formed of a liquid barrier material.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the formable material defines at least one serrated edge, and wherein plural sheets of the liquid barrier material are attached to each other along a seam which engages the serrated edge.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the plural sheets of the liquid barrier material are heat welded to each other along the serrated edge.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the formable material is non-adhesively secured between the plural sheets of the liquid barrier material.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material is enclosed within an outer layer which retains the absorbent material within a confined space and which. allows fluid to pass through the outer layer to the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the layer formed of the absorbent material has a top surface which is disposed adjacent to the outer layer, and wherein a layer formed of a liquid impervious material is positioned along the top surface of the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein the layer formed of the liquid impervious material does not fully enclose the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein the layer formed of the liquid impervious material is only provided on the top surface of the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein at least portions of the outer layer are formed of a mesh-like material.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein top portions of the outer layer are formed of a liquid impervious material and sides of the outer layer are formed of the mesh-like material.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the outer layer completely encloses the layer formed of the absorbent material.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the outer layer is attached to the formable material.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the outer layer is attached to a liquid barrier material associated with the formable material.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes a sheet formed of a liquid-impervious material which can be folded over the layer formed of the absorbent material to define a spray barrier.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the sheet formed of the liquid-impervious material extends from the formable material.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the sheet formed of the liquid-impervious material is integral with a layer formed of a liquid barrier material which is coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material and the formable material.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes at least one tab for securing the apparatus around an object.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57  having at least two tabs, and means associated with at least one of the tabs for connecting the tabs together to secure the apparatus to the object.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material includes a cutout portion.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 59  wherein the cutout portion is positioned along central portions of the apparatus.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 59  wherein the formable material includes a plurality of cutout portions.  
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes a drain formed in portions of the apparatus.  
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62  wherein the drain is connected to an external hose for conveying liquid away from a basin formed with the apparatus.  
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein portions of the formable material are shaped to form a drainage channel.  
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein portions of the formable material are scored, and wherein the scored portions define a corner for a folded side wall developed with the formable material.  
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the formable material is an elongate member which is bendable, and which retains an assumed shape after bending.  
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the elongate member has a serpentine configuration which extends across central portions of the apparatus.  
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the elongate member has an undulating configuration which extends around peripheral portions of the apparatus.  
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the elongate member is a solid rod.  
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the elongate member is a hollow tube.  
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which is pre-folded to assume a substantially flat configuration which is easily opened and made ready for use.  
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which is pre-folded to assume a substantially pillow shaped configuration which is easily opened and made ready for use.  
     
     
         73 . A method for containing liquid during a procedure associated with an object, comprising the steps of: 
 placing an apparatus for collecting and absorbing the liquid beneath the object, wherein the apparatus includes a layer formed of an absorbent material and a formable material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material, and wherein the formable material is bendable and capable of retaining a shape assumed by the formable material after shaping; and    shaping the formable material to define a basin shaped from the apparatus, wherein the basin is shaped to receive the liquid during the procedure.    
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  which further includes the step of forming the apparatus into a desired configuration prior to use.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the forming includes the step of rolling portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the forming includes the step of folding portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  which further includes the step of interconnecting the folded portions of the formable material to facilitate deployment of the apparatus.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the shaping step includes the step of shaping at least a portion of the formable material into a wall.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the shaping step further includes the step of crinkling the formable material to provide the wall with increased strength.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the shaping step includes the step of shaping a portion of the formable material to define a draining channel.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 73  which further includes the step of conveying waste water from the procedure away from the basin.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the apparatus includes a liquid-impervious material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material to define a spray barrier, and wherein the method further includes the step of folding the liquid-impervious material over the layer formed of the absorbent material to prevent a discharge of liquid as a spray.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the apparatus includes at least one tab extending from portions of the apparatus, and wherein the method further includes the step of affixing the tab around the object to secure the object to the apparatus during the procedure.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially flat configuration during the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of shaping the substantially flat apparatus into the basin.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially pillow shaped configuration prior to the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of opening the substantially pillow shaped apparatus into the substantially flat configuration.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially flat configuration during the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of shaping the substantially flat apparatus around the object.  
     
     
         87 . A method for collecting leaking liquid from a source, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing an apparatus for collecting the leaking liquid beneath the source, wherein the apparatus includes a layer formed of an absorbent material and a formable material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material, and wherein the formable material is bendable and capable of retaining a shape assumed by the formable material after shaping; and    shaping the formable material to define a basin shaped from the apparatus, wherein the basin lies beneath the source and wherein the basin is shaped to receive and collect the liquid.    
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87  which further includes the step of forming the apparatus into a desired configuration prior to use.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the forming includes the step of rolling portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the forming includes the step of folding portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90  which further includes the step of interconnecting the folded portions of the formable material to facilitate deployment of the apparatus.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the shaping step includes the step of shaping at least a portion of the formable material into a wall.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the shaping step further includes the step of crinkling the formable material to provide the wall with increased strength.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the shaping step includes the step of shaping a portion of the formable material to define a draining channel.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87  which further includes the step of conveying waste water away from the basin.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially flat configuration during the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of shaping the substantially flat apparatus into the basin.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially pillow shaped configuration prior to the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of opening the substantially pillow shaped apparatus into the substantially flat configuration.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the apparatus is in a substantially flat configuration during the placing step, and wherein the method further includes the step of shaping the substantially flat apparatus around an obstacle.  
     
     
         99 . A method for producing an apparatus for collecting and absorbing spilled liquid which includes a layer formed of an absorbent material, and a formable material coupled with the layer formed of the absorbent material which is capable of retaining a shape assumed by the formable material after bending, wherein the method comprises the steps of bending edges of the formable material over the layer formed of the absorbent material and engaging the layer formed of the absorbent material with the formable material.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99  which further includes the steps of bending sides of the formable material over the layer formed of the absorbent material, engaging the layer formed of the absorbent material with the formable material along the sides, and bending ends of the formable material over the layer formed of the absorbent material, engaging the layer formed of the absorbent material with the formable material along the ends.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 99  which further includes the step of forming the apparatus into a desired configuration prior to use.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101  wherein the forming includes the step of rolling portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 101  wherein the forming includes the step of folding portions of the formable material relative to one another.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103  which further includes the step of interconnecting the folded portions of the formable material to facilitate deployment of the apparatus.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 103  which further includes the step of forming the apparatus into a substantially pillow shaped configuration.