Adult Diapers: How They Are Made & Who Tests Them
Other People Are Reading
-
Usage
-
Urinary incontinence is a common problem. According to the National Association for Continence, over 25 million Americans suffer from bladder control problems. Stress incontinence is when you leak urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting. Urge incontinence is when the urge to urinate comes on so sudden and strong that you can't get to a toilet in time. According to the Mayo Clinic, urinary incontinence can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions, aging or physical problems.
Many people turn to the protection adult diapers offer; they're a viable alternative to medication. Adult diapers give people suffering from incontinence the ability to go out in public and feel comfortable. Adult diapers come in many forms from full-size undergarments resembling baby diapers to thin pull-up style undergarments with built-in absorbent pads. Most adult diapers can be discreetly worn under your clothing without anyone knowing. No more worries about leaking, stains on your clothes or being embarrassed by having an accident in public.
Testing
-
Selecting a brand and style of adult diaper to fit your needs means comparing comfort, absorbency, ease of use and discreetness. There are many consumer companies that release studies related to adult diapers. Numerous brands and styles are tested in laboratories using mannequins or consumers who report their experiences. Consumer tests provide you unbiased information regarding which brand and style offer the best protection.
The Disposable Consultancy Service, for example, uses equipment and mechanically tests the core of absorbent pads and diapers. Testing is done by applying fluid to the diaper tracking absorption time and how much fluid can be retained. Retention is tested by applying pressure to a wet diaper; any leakage is measured.
XP Medical is a company that sells adult diapers; it conducts extensive testing to determine which adult diapers perform best in real-life use. The test starts with dry measurements, followed by attaching the adult diaper snugly around an 8-inch round container. The container has a small hole in the bottom and gets filled with a ½ gallon of water. Through various processes and tests, XP comes up with a detailed chart comparing 10 different brands of adult diaper.
-
Making
-
Adult diapers are constructed mechanically through a layering process. Adult diapers consist of two inside layers and one outside layer. The inner absorbent core layer is made of a hydrophilic material--such as cellulose pulp or polymers--that attracts fluid. The second inner layer is designed to keep your skin dry; it's made of a hydrophobic material that keeps the liquid from leaking back out of the absorbent core. The outside of adult diapers is made of a breathable polyethylene film or film composite that keeps fluid and soil inside the absorbent core and off your clothing. Each layer is sprayed with hot melt adhesive so it'll adhere to the next. This process of fusing together layers makes a more durable diaper that doesn't fall apart when wet.
Some disposable adult diapers have fragrance, lotion or essential oils added between inner layers to protect your skin and cover up order. During the layering process, adhesive fasteners are hot melted onto the outer layer. Some adult diaper manufacturers add elastic inside the layers and around the legs and waist.
-
