LIQUID HANDLING SYSTEM DESIGNED TO EXTRACT LIQUIDS FROM CAPILLARY STRUCTURES USING A VACUUM SOURCE OR A VACUUM GENERATOR TO BE USED ON DIAPERS AND THE LIKE

摘要

The instant invention relates to a system for handling liquids such as the removal of liquid human exudates from absorbent products such as diapers and sanitary towels and the like using an external source of vacuum or a vacuum generator system that is connected with a flexible hose to a suction cup placed inside the absorbent product. The suction cup may be of flexible materials or made of solid metal, and may force absorbent fibers as may be in close proximity to the cup with the help of magnets or other mechanical means, such as the use of elastomeric materials, adhesives, or sewing. The flexible cup may compress absorbent fibers in order to extract the liquids by capillarity exerted by the absorbent fibers, allowing the liquids to be removed with the help of the vacuum generated by the external system or from any other source of vacuum and thanks to the higher compression of the absorbent fibers around the area of the suction cup that help create a seal with the absorbent material. The suction cup can also be connected to a liquid sensitive valve designed to block the vacuum until the valve is melted with the first insult; the invention reduces the collection of gas to a minimal. This way the vacuum is better optimized for liquid extraction and not wasted on the collection of air.