Ostomy appliance

Abstract

An ostomy appliance comprising a main body portion comprising an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output; the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity; the ostomy appliance further comprising an outer comfort layer overlying at least a portion of the outer wall; wherein the outer comfort layer comprise a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region, wherein the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity; wherein the overlap region is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction when the ostomy appliance is orientated as it would be in use.

1 . An ostomy appliance comprising:
 an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output, the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity;   an outer comfort layer overlying at least a portion of the outer wall;   wherein the outer comfort layer comprise a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region and the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity;   wherein the overlap region is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the window opening extends fully, or substantially fully, across a face of the outer wall. 
     
     
         3 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part of the outer comfort layer are joined to each other at a first end and at a second end of the overlap region. 
     
     
         4 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first part and the second part are welded to each other at the first end and at the second end of the overlap region. 
     
     
         5 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a single weld is provided for joining in one operation the inner wall, the outer wall and the outer comfort layer, including the welding of the first part and the second part to each other at the first end and at the second end of the overlap region. 
     
     
         6 . The ostomy appliance as of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall comprises one or more pleats which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output; the first part and the second part of the outer comfort layer being configured to slide over each other in the overlap region to accommodate expansion of the underlying outer wall. 
     
     
         7 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising either an ostomy wafer that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall, or a releasable coupling that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall and that is configured for coupling with a body fitment component comprising an ostomy wafer. 
     
     
         8 . An ostomy appliance comprising:
 an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output, the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity;   a first lateral wing region and a second lateral wing region defined by the inner wall and the outer wall; and   an outer comfort layer over the outer wall and comprising a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region and the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity that is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction;   wherein the outer wall comprises one or more pleats which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote conformation of the inner wall against a body of an ostamate wearing the ostomy appliance   wherein the first part and the second part of the outer comfort layer being configured to slide over each other in the overlap region to accommodate expansion of the underlying outer wall.   
     
     
         9 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more pleats are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote displacement of the first lateral wing region and the second lateral wing region towards the body of the ostomate. 
     
     
         10 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the inner wall is free of pleats. 
     
     
         11 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more pleats comprise two pleats which are arranged symmetrically about a vertical midline of the outer wall. 
     
     
         12 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more pleats are orientated vertically when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance. 
     
     
         13 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the first lateral wing region and the second lateral wing region are foldable about a fold line that extends in a generally vertical direction when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance. 
     
     
         14 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the one or more pleats is aligned with each of the fold lines. 
     
     
         15 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a separation filter for filtering gases and/or liquids from solid matter contained in the stomal output; wherein the separation filter comprises one or more pleats. 
     
     
         16 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pleats of the separation filter are aligned with the one or more pleats of the outer wall. 
     
     
         17 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein a free edge of the inner wall and a free edge of the outer wall are joined by a weld line and the weld line comprises an enhanced weld zone in the vicinity of each of the one or more pleats; wherein the enhanced weld zone comprises a weld of increased thickness compared to the weld line outside the enhanced weld zone. 
     
     
         18 . The ostomy appliance as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein an upper end and a lower end of each of the one or more pleats is traversed by the weld line. 
     
     
         19 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the outer comfort layer is free of pleats. 
     
     
         20 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising either an ostomy wafer that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall, or a releasable coupling that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall and that is configured for coupling with a body fitment component comprising an ostomy wafer.