Abstract: An ostomy appliance is provided with inner and outer pouches separably joined together by peelable seams. A vent passage and deodorizing filter are also provided, most advantageously located externally of the pouches, and a pre-filter is preferably positioned in advance of the deodorizing filter.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance including a body side member having an adhesive wafer for securing the appliance to the user's skin, and a separate sealing member for sealing against the stoma, the separate sealing member being in the form of a disc having a centre hole for accommodating the stoma. The disc is made from a material that may be detached, rinsed and reapplied such that the disc has a service time at least as long as the body side member. The disc reduces the frequency of stressing the skin around the stoma due to exchange of the body side member by protecting the surface of the adhesive wafer from soiling by and attack from the aggressive visceral contents and facilitates the cleaning of the body side member.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance belt for supporting and concealing an ostomy pouch as well as the stoma area of the user's abdomen. The belt is made from a waterproof lightweight elastic material and completely encircles the user's waist without interfering with the attachment of the ostomy appliance to the abdomen. A flexible pocket retainer extends between the ends of the belt to support and contain the ostomy pouch in a retainer cup housed therein. The retainer cup is affixed to the user's body by a sealing barrier attached to the outer surface of the cup. The pocket retainer includes a one-way release valve that helps secure the pocket retainer to the user's body. A storage compartment is housed on the exterior side of the pocket retainer for storing personal items therein.

Abstract: The ostomy system with mounting wafer and repositionable pouch includes a resealable tape provided on one of the system members and a releasable film provided on the other system member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the resealable tape is located on a faceplate of the pouch and the releasable film is located on the body-side mounting wafer. The pouch is thus secured to the body-side mounting wafer by engaging the resealable tape with the releasable film. The resealable tape and the releasable film coupling arrangement permit repeated removal of the pouch from the body-side mounting wafer and repeated resecurement of the pouch to the mounting wafer. The pouch can thus be repositioned relative to the mounting wafer even after the pouch has been worn for a day.

Abstract: A new and improved ostomy or incontinence appliance that is user-friendly, sanitary, environmentally safe, provides novel attachment means, and further includes optional features including a temporary breather flange that allows for healing of the stoma orifice when irritated and a novel stoma locator adaptor that aids a user and provides proper placement and alignment of the appliance.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance including an adhesive barrier member having a hole for receiving a stoma, ureter, or catheter, an outer receiving member or bag releasably attached to the adhesive barrier member, and a disposable inner bag liner releasably attached to the adhesive barrier member. A single base coupling ring is attached to the barrier member and includes a first coupling area on an inner surface thereof, relative to the hole, and a second coupling on an outer surface thereof. The inner bag, which is coupled to the barrier member using an inner bag coupling ring, is coupled to the barrier member at the first coupling area and the outer receiving member is coupled to the barrier member at the second coupling area, such that both the inner bag and outer receiving member are mounted on the same single barrier member ring.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch for both one and two-piece ostomy appliances having an integral closure at the bottom of the pouch to allow the pouch to be emptied and re-sealed without the use of a separate closure. The integral closure has mating parts that are locked together and provides the ostomy appliance with a leak-proof, odor-proof seal when in a closed, sealed, and locked position. A slider, when the appliance is closed, can be moved along the integral closure, thereby separating the mated male and female parts to provide an opening through which the stored contents within the ostomy pouch can be emptied. After the stored contents have been emptied, the slider can reseal the pouch by rejoining the male and female parts. The integral closure is manufactured from material that is different and more rigid than the material used to manufacture the ostomy pouch.

Abstract: An ostomy bag with a wall of a flexible material and a first coupling member for detachably coupling the ostomy bag with an implant, for example an implant surrounding the stoma, with the first coupling member being and designed with a circumferential groove. The first coupling member is a spring ring composed of a spring wire having end parts extending a distance past each other. Along the opening of the ostomy bag, an edge reinforcement is made by joining of at least a part of the spring ring and an area of the wall of the ostomy bag, and on each end part of the spring wire is a handle for opening the spring ring on overcoming the spring power in the spring ring so that the edge reinforcement can pass over the circumferential groove of the implant at mounting and decoupling of the ostomy bag.

Abstract: A device for firmly attaching human-waste-collection bags to the abdomen by using suction rings instead of adhesives. This device comprises of a cap (10) with suction rings, a round plastic sheet (11), a plastic bag (15), and a belt holder(14). A round body (12) of rigid material is used to sandwich the plastic sheet and bag by using the cap (10) at its front end. This device also has a belt holder (14) with a center hole (28) that fits on the rear ring surface (26) of the body (12). This belt holder is equipped with a regular elastic belt for pressing the overall devise firmly against the abdomen.

Abstract: A method for making a customized ostomy appliance including an adhesive wafer having the steps of measuring the outer periphery of the stoma of the patient, recording the information relating to the measurements of the stoma area, transforming the recorded information into electronic form, and utilizing the electronic information to select physical attributes of the ostomy device and have physical attributes selected in accordance with the measurement information transferred to the ostomy appliance. According to the method, the measurement information is utilized for printing a customized cutting guide pattern on a material for adhering to the adhesive wafer, offering a simple and efficient method of customizing ostomy appliances.

Abstract: An wc-disposable ostomy bag has a pouch of alkali-disposable material and an adhesive flange in two parts. One part is an inner ring permanently bonded with the pouch around its opening. The other part forms the major part of the flange and is an outer ring attached with the pouch by a temporary, manually-separable bond. The outer ring can be disposed of separately from the pouch and inner ring, which are placed in a wc to which an alkali has been added. The small size of the inner ring enables it to be flushed away.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance having a body side member with an adhesive wafer or pad for securing the appliance to the user's skin, the wafer or pad having a hole for receiving a stoma, and a separately exchangeable collecting bag secured to the body side ostomy member for receiving secretions from the ostomy. The body side member includes a first flange connected thereto via a first connecting section and the collecting bag includes a second substantially annular flange which is connected to the collecting bag via a substantially annular second connecting section. The annular second flange is radially divided into an inner portion and an outer portion by at least one opening therethrough in an essentially circular zone corresponding to or larger than the outer radius of the first connecting section which reduces the risk of leakage and also reduces the necessary cleaning when substituting the collecting bag.

Abstract: A flange for a medical collecting bag having an aperture allowing bodily fluids or exudates to enter the bag, wherein the flange has an inner rim delimiting the aperture therein, and wherein the flange has a central area encircling the aperture which area has a predetermined weakening line pattern wherein the force needed for removing the bag flange from the skin or a body side member is smaller than the force needed for breaking the weakening lines enables a simple gradual enlargement of the aperture of an ostomy device for adaptation of the aperture to the size of the stoma or for adaptation of the aperture to the size of a wound and a complete removal of the bag flange when substituting the bag.

Abstract: A flush fit ostomy coupling (110) includes a bagside coupling member (114) with a front flange (116) from which an outer wall (22) depends rearwardly. A channel is formed between the outer wall and an inner wall (124) supported by the outer wall. The bodyside coupling member (112) carries sealing means in form of first and second substantially radially projecting sealing fins (152). The sealing fins are able to deflect to form a cylindrical band seal against one wall (122) of the channel. The opposite wall (124) of the channel forms an interlock with the bodyside coupling member. The radial sealing fin may be used with other types of ostomy coupling. Also, the flush fit design may employ other types of seal.

Abstract: An ostomy bag with a wall of a flexible material and a first coupling member for detachably coupling the ostomy bag with an implant, for example an implant surrounding the stoma, with the first coupling member being and designed with a circumferential groove. The first coupling member is a spring ring composed of a spring wire having end parts extending a distance past each other. Along the opening of the ostomy bag, an edge reinforcement is made by joining of at least a part of the spring ring and an area of the wall of the ostomy bag, and on each end part of the spring wire is a handle for opening the spring ring on overcoming the spring power in the spring ring so that the edge reinforcement can pass over the circumferential groove of the implant at mounting and decoupling of the ostomy bag.

Abstract: A coupling for an ostomy appliance, comprises two elements (10, 20), each including a base (11, 21), equipped with a central opening, and a tubular joining piece (12, 22) surrounding the opening. The joining piece (12) of the first element (10) comprises, on its internal face, an elastically deformable annular lip (18) whose free end (19) is directed towards the plane of the base (11) of the element. The joining piece (22) of the second element (20) includes, on its external face, means for axial retention (44) of the free end of this lip. This coupling includes a locking member (43), and the means for axial retention of the free end of the annular lip occupy a sector of the circumference of the joining piece of the second element, of which the midpoint is situated diametrically opposite the locking member under conditions of assembly and disassembly of the two elements of this coupling.

Abstract: A faecal management device. The device has a bag. The bag has an aperture defining a plane and allowing the entry of faecal material. The bag is constructed of two pieces of material joined at a seam, which may lie in a plane parallel that of the aperture. This two-piece construction advantageously allows for a bag geometry which is not long or narrow, thus providing increased comfort for the active wearer.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance or wound drainage device having a receptacle side component including a receptacle for receiving and storing waste solids and fluids and a bodyside component for adhering to the patient's skin around the stoma in which the two components are releasably sealed together through a pealable, washable based coupling mechanism.

Abstract: An wc-disposable ostomy bag has a pouch of alkali-disposable material and an adhesive flange in two parts. One part is an inner ring permanently bonded with the pouch around its opening. The other part forms the major part of the flange and is an outer ring attached with the pouch by a temporary, manually-separable bond. The outer ring can be disposed of separately from the pouch and inner ring, which are placed in a wc to which an alkali has been added. The small size of the inner ring enables it to be flushed away.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ostomy appliance comprising a body side member comprising an adhesive wafer or pad for securing the appliance to the user's skin, said wafer or pad having a hole for receiving a stoma, and an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body side ostomy member for receiving secretions from the ostomy, said ostomy appliance further comprising a sealing member disposed in the hole of the wafer or pad surrounding the stoma wherein the sealing member disposed in the hole of the wafer or pad surrounding the stoma, said sealing member having a hole for accommodating the stoma and said sealing member having balanced plastic and elastic properties allowing an adaptation of the hole of the ostomy appliance to a stoma by a temporary enlarging the hole by everting or rolling up the inner rim of the hole for accommodating the stoma.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ostomy appliance comprising a body side member comprising an adhesive wafer or pad for securing the appliance to the user's skin, the wafer or pad having a hole for receiving a stoma, and a separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body side ostomy member for receiving secretions from the ostomy, the ostomy appliance further comprising a separate sealing member disposed in the hole of the wafer or pad surrounding the stoma wherein the separately exchangeable receiving member or bag is secured releasably to the body side ostomy member by a mechanical fastening means.

Abstract: An ostomy faceplate for a two-piece appliance is disclosed in which the coupling ring is partially recessed into the wafer of the faceplate. The wafer includes a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive layer that is provided with a recess that receives a portion of the coupling ring, thereby resulting in a faceplate of distinctively low profile and enhanced conformability.

Abstract: An alkali-disposable ostomy bag has a pouch with flange for attachment to the patient. The flange is formed from two discs one of which is relatively thin and alkali disposable and is permanently attached to the pouch. The other disc is thicker, with a hydrocolloid surface, and is attached with the disc on the pouch by a peel-off adhesive. After use, the bag is removed from the patient and the thicker disc is peeled off the thinner disc so that it can be disposed of. The adhesive remains on the thinner disc so that the pouch can be sealed and disposed of by adding an alkali to a wc pan.

Abstract: A convex insert system for an ostomy appliance includes a convex insert and a mounting member on the inner wall of an annular coupling. When the convex insert is mounted on the mounting member, the appliance has a convex curvature which when properly positioned helps the patient's stomal to protrude.

Abstract: An improved ostomy face plate. The improved face plate includes a ring seal of silicons foam, a blotter ring disposed between the ring seal and the barrier seal, and an improved barrier seal compound with a low isobutylene content.

Abstract: An orifice coupling, e.g. an ostomy coupling, includes a first coupling part (10) securable to a second coupling part (20) by a springy split locking ring (30). The locking ring (30) is held captive on the first coupling member (10) by lugs (13) extending radially from outside the locking ring and which enable the locking ring (30) to engage the second coupling member (20) substantially continuously around the periphery of the second coupling member. The coupling can be released when the ends (26,27) of the locking ring (30) are manipulated to expand the ring. The locking ring (30) may be integrally moulded with the first coupling member, and folded into an operative position on the first coupling member.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance or wound drainage device having a receptacle side component including a receptacle for receiving and storing waste solids and fluids and a bodyside component for adhering to the patient's skin around the stoma in which the two components are releasably sealed together through a pealable, washable based coupling mechanism.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has a first coupling member and a second coupling member. These are mutually interengageable and surround a region which includes a stomal orifice. A springy resilient ring encircles the two coupling members and has a handle member which can be manipulated to cause the ring to be deformed such that radially-inwardly extending tabs on the ring are shifted between respective first positions in which the ring is undeformed and the tabs lock the two coupling members together and respective second positions in which the ring is deformed in such a way as to shift the tabs radially outwardly to positions where they permit separation of the two coupling parts. The ring has a portion which joins the ends of two limbs of the ring, said portion being readily deformable and optionally sufficiently elastic such that the limb ends are pulled towards each other by the elasticity of said portion.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 50, 60 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 70. A plurality of tabs 71 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 70, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by an upward pull on the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The ring 70 is generally circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling includes two rings which can be interengaged concentrically. The inner ring (1a) has a peripheral flange (2) at one end for attachment to an abdominal pad (3a) and a radially outwardly directed peripheral bead (6) at its other end; while the outer ring (1b) has a radially outwardly directed flange (7) for attachment to an ostomy pouch (8a), and a lip (11) which engages behind the peripheral bead (6) on the inner ring in order to secure the two rings of the coupling together. The flange (7) on the outer coupling ring includes a stiffening member (10) which is disposed so as to restrain the outer coupling ring from expanding away from the inner coupling ring when the two parts of the coupling are interengaged in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ostomy bag having a multi-piece construction with peelable skin surfaces, and multiple perforated layers which are made of dissolvable material. Absorbent material is placed between the layers to facilitate dissolution of the bag when placed in a toilet. The multiple layers of material also permit ready identification to the wearer, by its color change appearance of the inventive applicance, that the layers thereof are properly assembled.

Abstract: A water swellable foam matrix formed as a macroporous solid comprising a foam stabilizing agent and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a multiolefin-functional crosslinking agent is described. The foam matrix is characterized by rapid swelling and high water swelling ratios.

Abstract: An adhesive faceplate for detachable connection to an ostomy pouch is disclosed. The faceplate has an integrated convex pressure ring for promoting stomal protrusion and a so-called floating flange (i.e., coupling ring) for mechanical attachment to the mating coupling ring of an ostomy pouch. The convex pressure ring is provided with a deep annular recess behind the faceplate's coupling ring to accommodate a user's fingers during a coupling operation, thereby facilitating attachment of a pouch. The recess is also useful because it may accommodate the flexible web (which is preferably pleated to allow greater movement of the faceplate's coupling ring) when the coupling ring is immediately adjacent the remainder of the faceplate.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling includes a first coupling ring attached to a medical grade adhesive pad, a second coupling ring attached to an ostomy pouch, and an intervening ring. The intervening ring is slidable along the lower portion of the cylindrical wall of the first coupling ring. The intervening ring is also finger-engageable so as to facilitate the pushing together of the first and second coupling rings into a coupling arrangement while minimizing pressure on the stomal area.

Abstract: Vented ostomy pouches are disclosed in which a first wall is securable to a patient's peristomal skin surfaces and the obverse second wall is provided with an outlet opening for the escape of gases from the pouch. A deodorizing gas filter extends over the outlet and a third wall, or internal barrier wall, is located within the pouch and divides it into two chambers. The barrier wall operates to block the passage of solids and most liquids from the first chamber to the second but is provided with at least one vent that permits the flow of gases into the second chamber from the first. A filter-protecting panel in the second chamber directs such gases along a circuitous route as they travel from the vent to the outlet. A connection, preferably in the form of a spot weld, joins the barrier wall to the bodyside first wall of the pouch at about the elevation of the filter to prevent the barrier wall from blocking against other surfaces and obstructing the flow of gases through the vent and filter.

Abstract: The pouch is formed of first and second thin barrier film walls welded along the periphery to form a waste receptacle. One wall has an inlet defined by an attachment ring. The ring mounts the pouch on an adhesive faceplate adapted to adhere to the skin surrounding the stoma. A membrane, formed of material which is gas permeable but transmits little moisture and no liquid, is situated between the walls to separate the receptacle into an inlet chamber, where solids, liquid and most moisture are retained, and an outlet chamber into which gas and a small amount of vapor passes. A filter is provided to permit the gas to exit the outlet chamber. A first section of superabsorbent material isolates the filter from the outlet chamber. By absorbing any moisture in the gas before it contacts the filter, blockage of the filter is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collecting bag in particular for collecting body excreta running from an artificial anus, the bag being provided with padding designed, when the bag is in place, to surround the artificial anus in order to protect it. The padding is constituted by a cushion adapted to be inflated, and inflation means are also provided to enable the patient to inflate the cushion to the desired extent. In order to avoid excessively reducing the volume of excreta that can be collected, the cushion preferably extends along the periphery of the bag. It is also preferably disposed between the front wall and the back wall of the bag so as to hold them apart from each other. In this way, excreta, including solid excreta, have no difficulty in penetrating into the bag as stiffened by the inflated cushion, which thus transforms the bag into a kind of box.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 20, 40 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 30. A plurality of tabs 31, 32, symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 30, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The ring 30 is generally circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: A coupling, which may be an ostomy coupling but could be any kind of tube or pipe coupling, includes a first coupling member 10 and a second coupling member 30 which are mutually interengageable and which surround an orifice 70. The coupling also includes a resilient split ring 50 which encircles the two coupling members and has a handle member 51 which can be manipulated to cause the split ring to be deformed. This causes the radially-inwardly extending tabs 52 on the ring to be shifted between respective first positions in which the split ring is undeformed and the tabs lock the two coupling members together and respective second positions in which the split ring is deformed in such a way as to shift the tabs radially outwardly to positions where they permit separation of the two coupling members.The split ring is desirably made of a relatively rigid but springy plastics material, for example an acetal resin.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 80, 90 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 100. A plurality of tabs 101 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 100, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The split ring 100 is for the most part circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: An adhesive faceplate for detachable connection to an ostomy pouch is disclosed. The faceplate has an integrated convex pressure ring for promoting stomal protrusion and a so-called floating flange (i.e., coupling ring) for mechanical attachment to the mating coupling ring of an ostomy pouch. The convex pressure ring is provided with a deep annular recess behind the faceplate's coupling ring to accommodate a user's fingers during a coupling operation, thereby facilitating attachment of a pouch. The pressure ring also includes a thin, inwardly-extending connecting portion which is heat sealed to the backing layer of the faceplate's adhesive wafer and, when that backing layer is formed of a porous material, such heat seal effectively closes the pores of the backing layer in the area of the seal.

Abstract: The invention provides a drainage bag (e.g. an ostomy bag or the like) for receiving bodily waste, the drainage bag comprising a water-impermeable outer bag; a water-impermeable inner bag enclosed therein; and an orifice to enable bodily waste to be received by the inner bag; the outer and inner bags being detachably secured together in the region of the orifice. The outer and inner bags are preferably detachably secured together by means of frangible or peelable connection or linkage therebetween.

Abstract: The coupling device for an ostomy pouch includes a flexible, deflectable, annular force transmitter member joined to an abdominal mounting plate that has a coupling member. The force transmitter member can be pulled in a direction away from the mounting plate during coupling of an ostomy pouch. The force transmitter member can thus oppose and neutralize a coupling force that is directed to the mounting plate and protect the abdomen from receiving the pressure due to the coupling force.

Abstract: The ostomy device includes a waste collection pouch and an adhesive faceplate adapted to mount the pouch to the body, adjacent the stoma. To attach the pouch to the faceplate, coupling rings, mounted respectively on each part, are aligned and snapped together. A hook member provided on the vertical centerline of the faceplate has a planar top surface which cooperates with a laterally extending elongated element located on the vertical centerline of the pouch to allow the pouch to swing to a position where the couplng rings are aligned to facilitate coupling of the rings. The hook may also have a mechanism to lock the pouch element, acting as an auxilary connection.

Abstract: A device to be worn by a dog or other animal to accept and retain primarily feces. The device includes a contact member contoured to the general shape of the animal buttocks and designed to be secured adjacent to the buttocks of the animal. The contact member includes an aperture designed to circumscribe the anus of the animal. A disposable container is secured in the aperture by a retaining insert. The device may be secured adjacent to the animal by means such as straps which originate from a harness worn by the animal.

Abstract: The ostomy pouch has a coupling member that can be removed from the pouch envelope to permit flush disposal of the envelope without the coupling member. Flushability of the pouch is further enhanced by forming the pouch with converging side walls. Thus when the pouch is deposited in a toilet bottom end first in a carrier sleeve, the pouch can flow in streamlined fashion through the passages of a toilet and any sewer pipe or septic line connected to the toilet. Depending upon the flush capacity of the toilet and the flow rate of water through the toilet and sewer line, the ostomy pouch can be deposited in the toilet without a carrier sleeve.

Abstract: Stoma equipment comprising a bag-carrier for fixing around an artificial opening in the body of a user by means of a base plate provided with an adhesive or with a pressure-sensitive adhesive rubber or with any equivalent means, together with a bag for collecting body wastes and/or fluids and suitable for being removably assembled to a sleeve or collar of the bag carrier by means of a rim on the bag, wherein the bag is fixed on the bag-carrier by deforming sealing means whose radial size is increased by operating an appropriate actuator device.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed having a faceplate component and a pouch component, the faceplate component including a flexible attachment ring having an annular outer flange portion and an inner collar portion for insertion into the side opening of the pouch component when the two are releasably joined together. The flushable pouch has a pair of side walls joined together along their outer margins with each wall comprising a primary layer of strong but water-soluble material and a protective inner layer of relatively weak but water-insoluble material. When the components are adhesively joined together, the protective collar of the faceplate attachment ring extends into the side opening of the pouch to shield the edge (or edges) of the water-soluble layer (or layers) from exposure to fluids and other matter discharged through the stoma-receiving opening of the faceplate into the pouch, thereby protecting the water-soluble layer(s) from premature disintegration.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance in which a collection pouch is provided with an adhesive faceplate, that may be equipped with a convex pressure ring, and in which a relatively stiff belt-attachment ring is interposed between the pouch and faceplate. Despite the stiffness of the belt-attachment ring and that of the convex pressure ring normally in close proximity it, the tab connectors of the attachment ring are readily accessible because the belt-attachment ring is supported in a limited "floating" condition by a thin, highly-flexible, annular web. The web is secured to both the pouch and faceplate along an inner first sealing zone and joins the belt-attachment ring along a second concentric sealing zone spaced a substantial distance outwardly from the first zone.