Abstract: A drainage bag for receiving bodily waste, such as an ostomy bag, comprises an outer bag of material soluble in cold water, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, and an inner bag of material insoluble in water at ambient temperature and body temperature but soluble in organic solvent, e.g. 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone). When the bag (and contents) are to be disposed of, appropriate organic solvent (e.g. benzyl alcohol) is applied to the inner bag. The bag can then be placed in a WC bowl and is flushable after about 1-2 minutes.

Abstract: A method of encapsulation is characterized by supplying to an encapsulation unit (22) two films (14, 16) of like material capable of deforming elastically at least when partially solvated, and applying solvent to at least one of the films prior to encapsulation to cause partial solvation of the material surface, such that the partially solvated surface can adhere to and seal with the film material. In the encapsulation unit, the substance to be encapsulated e.g. a cosmetic oil or vitamin preparation is supplied between the films, the films are formed, typically by a molding process, into suitably shaped capsule portions which can adhere to each other as a result of the adhesive action of the partially solvated surface(s), and which seal together encapsulating the supplied substance, forming a capsule. The invention enables encapsulation using materials other than gelatin, such as polyvinyl alcohol. Also disclosed is encapsulation apparatus and the resulting capsules.

Abstract: A soft capsule comprising a wall derived from a multilayer film that comprises three layers. The layers are an innermost sealing plasticized hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, an adhesion promoting layer of propylene glycol alginate and a barrier layer of sodium alginate.

Abstract: A water-dispersible disposable enclosure, such as an ostomy pouch or urinary incontinence pouch, which is adapted for flushing down the bowl of a water closet and is formed of a material that is, at least at the time of disposal into a water closet bowl, combined with a water activated exothermic reagent that raises the temperature of the enclosure or the water that comes into contact with the enclosure, prior to or upon placement in the water closet bowl, to a level at which the material melts, dissolves or otherwise disperses for ease of flushing.

Abstract: A disposable article, e.g a diaper, having a backing layer (5) formed of soluble material constructed so that when in contact with a relatively large volume of liquid, e.g. that produced by flushing a lavatory, the backing layer (5) dissolves and loses its integrity but when in contact with a relatively small volume of liquid, e.g. when handled with wet hands, dissolution is restricted so that the backing layer (5) maintains its integrity. The backing layer may have variable solubility across its thickness, e.g. one side of the backing layer may comprise a relatively soluble material (4), whereas the other side comprises a less soluble material (6). Alternatively, the backing layer may comprise a soluble membrane (5) having a discontinuous layer (14, 16) of relatively insoluble material applied to at least one surface thereof.