MXPA96005955A - Disposable absorbent article that has a bombay an inflating component - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article having a pump and an inflatable component, comprising: a liquid-impermeable backsheet, a liquid-permeable upper sheet attached to the backsheet, an absorbent core placed intermediate to the top sheet and to the backsheet, an inflatable component disposed in the absorbent and inflatable article of a first thickness at a second thickness substantially greater than the first thickness, and a pump disposed in the absorbent article for inflating the inflatable component, wherein the pump comprises a elastic element arranged inside a fire chamber

Description

ABSORBENT DISPOSABLE ARTICLE THAT HAS A PUMP AND AN INFLATABLE COMPONENT FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles having an inflatable component, such as a spacer for maintaining a hollow space for receiving,. fecal matter, and a pump to inflate the inflatable component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable absorbent articles are used to absorb and retain body exudates, such as urine, fecal matter, menstruation and the like. A particular desired feature of disposable absorbent articles is the ability to acquire and retain body exudates to eliminate, or at least minimize, the escape of body exudates from between the absorbent article and the wearer. References in the prior art teach the addition of a spacer to the disposable absorbent article to aid in the containment of fecal matter. Such spacers may suffer from the disadvantage that they increase the initial thickness of the disposable absorbent article, and due to that, transport and storage costs increase. Such spacers can also be perceived by consumers as uncomfortable due to their thickness before the application of the diaper user. Examples of such references include: U.S. Patent 5,176,672 issued January 5, 1993 to Bruemmer et al., U.S. Patent 5,171,236, issued December 15, 1992, to Drier et al., U.S. Patent Application Ser. United States Serial No. 07 / 898,047, Spacers to Be Used in Disposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Items Having Such Spacers, registered June 11, 1992, by Alien et al. Still other references reveal absorbent articles having inflatable structures. French Patent Application 2,561,078, published on September 20, 1985, in the name of Lefebvre, discloses a diaper having a structure that can be inflated with the mouth. Such inflation can be clumsy or inconvenient, especially in public places or when the diaper is already attached to the wearer. Such a configuration is disadvantageous also due to sanitary considerations. U.S. patents 3,881,491 and 3,921,232, issued to hyte, May 6, 1975, and November 25, 1975, respectively, disclose disposable absorbent articles having structures that are inflated automatically. Automatically inflating structures include a wall of semi-permeable material through which body fluids can pass and a material that emits gas that interacts with an activating material (i.e. urine) to inflate the structure. The structure taught by Whyte mainly avoids the densification of the core and suffers from the disadvantage required by an activating material from an external source, such as urine. The user may not urinate at the desired time, in the desired place, or in the desired amount to properly inflate the structure. U.S. Patent Applications Serial Nos. 08 / 081,733 filed June 23, 1999, in the name of Ahr et al., And 08 / 081,536 filed June 23, 1993, in the name of LaVon et al., Disclose components of inflatable diapers, whose inflation requires wetting the component or the mixture of two different materials. Accordingly, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article having a component that is inflatable at the point of use of the absorbent article by a wearer or a person caring for the wearer, before or after holding the absorbent article. to user. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a diaper having a component that can be inflated to the degree desired by the user. It is further an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having an inflatable component and a pump disposed in the disposable absorbent article for inflating the inflatable component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises an upper sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent core disposed intermediate the upper sheet and the back sheet, an inflatable component, and a pump disposed in the absorbent article for inflating the inflatable component. The pump may be arranged intermediate the upper sheet and the rear sheet. In another embodiment, the pump is attached to the backsheet. The pump may comprise a pump chamber having an inlet port and an exit port, and an elastic chamber wall. The elastic chamber wall is deformable to move the air from the pump chamber through the outlet port and towards the inflatable component. The inlet port of the pump chamber can be positioned outwardly from the perimeter of the absorbent core and positioned under the upper sheet portion to receive air through the upper sheet. In another embodiment, the pump may include a porous, elastic element, such as open cell foam. The disposable absorbent article may further include a check valve disposed downstream of the outlet of the pump chamber to provide unidirectional flow from the pump to the inflatable component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of a disposable diaper with the portions of the topsheet and absorbent core shown cut away to illustrate a spacer in the form of a keyhole and a pump for inflating the spacer. Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the spacer, the pump, and a check valve. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2 showing a deflated spacer, a pump in an undeformed position, and a closed check valve comprising an integral deformable flap with the pump. Figure 4 is an enlarged view in the portion of Figure 2 showing a deflated spacer, a pump that is deformed by the tip of a finger and an open check valve. Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the pump and check valve attached to the backsheet, with a portion of a first wall of a passage between the spacer and the pump trimmed to show the deformable flap of the valve retention. Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3 showing a pump having an elastic element disposed in a pump chamber. Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 6, showing compression of the elastic member to direct air from the pump, through a check valve, and into an inflatable component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used in the present invention, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the user's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" as used in the present invention for describing absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (ie, are intended to be discarded after a single use and , preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed in a manner compatible with the environment A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is a unitary disposable absorbent article, the diaper 20, shown in the Figure 1. As used in the present invention, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally used by infants and incontinent persons that is worn around the user's lower trunk, however, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as diapers, trainers, incontinence briefs, diaper carriers, diaper linings, and feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners and the like. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its non-contracted flattened state, ie, with the elastic induced contraction removed) with portions of the structure that are sectioned to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20 and with the portion of the diaper 20 that is facing or in contact with the user, the inner surface, facing the observer. The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 having an anterior waist region 22, a waist rear region 24, a crotch region 26, and a periphery 28 comprising longitudinal edges 30 and leading and trailing edge 32 edges. diaper 20 also has a lateral center line 34 and a longitudinal centerline 36. As used herein, the "longitudinal" dimension, direction or "axis" of the diaper 20 is aligned from front to back with respect to the wearer when the article is worn. Disposable absorbent. The direction, dimension or "lateral" or "transverse" axis of the diaper 20 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and is laterally aligned when the diaper 20 is in use. The "Z-direction" is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and is illustrated in Figure 2. The anterior waist region 22 and the posterior waist region 24 are those portions of the diaper which, when in use , they surround the user's waist and are generally the highest elevations of the diaper 20 when the diaper is in the upright position. The crotch region 26 is positioned between the front and rear waist regions 22, 24 and is that part of the diaper 20 that, when in use, is between the legs of the wearer. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 38, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 42 bonded to the topsheet 38 and an absorbent core disposed intermediate to the topsheet 38 and the sheet 42. The absorbent core 44 may comprise one or more layers, shown with a layer in the Figures. The absorbent core 44 has a perimeter 45 that includes laterally extending front and rear ends 45A and 45B, also as side edges 45C and 45D. The absorbent core 44 does not extend longitudinally towards the anterior and posterior waist regions 22,24, but terminates in the crotch region 26 at the anterior and posterior ends, 45A and 45B, which extend laterally. The diaper 20 has side margins 58 that extend laterally from the side edges of the absorbent core, 45C and 45D, toward the longitudinal edges 30 of the diaper 20. The side margins 58 include those portions of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 that extends laterally outwardly from the lateral edges of the absorbent core 45C and 45D. The diaper 20 has an inner surface 39 comprising that portion of the diaper 20 that is positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e. the surface 39 is generally formed by at least a portion of the topsheet 38). The diaper also has an outer surface 43 comprising that portion of the diaper 20 that is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface 43 is generally formed by at least a portion of the back sheet 42, and other components attached to it. the back sheet 42). The diaper 20 according to the present invention also comprises at least one inflatable component 200, and a pump 300 for inflating the inflatable component at the point of use of the disposable article, the inflatable component 200 is inflatable from a first thickness TI shown in FIG. (Figure 3), which has a predetermined shape having a second thickness T2 (Figure 4) substantially greater than the first thickness TI. The inflatable component 200 may comprise a spacer 210 disposed intermediate the upper sheet 38 and the rear sheet 42 to maintain a stool space in the Z-direction 211, as shown in Figure 2. The pump 300 may be arranged intermediate the upper sheet 38 and the rear sheet 42. The pump 300 may comprise a pump chamber 305 having at least one inlet port 340 and At least one outlet port 360. Also, the pump may comprise an elastic wall 310. The chamber elastic wall 310 forms at least a portion of the boundary of the pump chamber 305. The elastic chamber wall 310 is deformable, such as by means of a fingertip, to move a gas such as air from the pump chamber 305 through the outlet port 360 and into the spacer 210. By "chamber elastic wall" it is meant that the chamber wall 310 can be repeatedly deformed, such as by a force exerted by the tip of the finger, and that upon releasing the deformation force the chamber wall 310 regains its undeformed shape, which thereby causes the air to be drawn into the chamber d and pump 310 through the inlet port 340. A check valve 400 can be disposed downstream of the outlet port 360 to provide unidirectional flow from the pump 300 to the inflatable spacer 210. Referring to the components of the diaper 20 shown in Figure 1 in greater detail, the diaper 20 may also include a pair of fasteners 54, such as tape tabs or mechanical fasteners, placed in the rear waist region 24 to secure the diaper 20 to the wearer. The diaper may also have seal cuffs (not shown), leg barrier cuffs (not shown) and an elastic waist feature such as an elasticized waistband (not shown). U.S. Patent 3,848,594, issued November 19, 1974, to Buell; and Reissue US Pat. No. 4,662,875, reissued May 5, 1987, to Hirotsu et al., are incorporated herein by reference to illustrate suitable tape tab fasteners 54. U.S. Patent 3,860,003 issued January 14, 1975, to Buell; U.S. Patent 4,081,301, issued March 28, 1978, to Buell; U.S. Patent 4,695,278, issued September 22, 1987, to Lawson and U.S. Patent 4,938,755, issued July 3, 1990, to Foreman, are incorporated herein by reference to illustrate cuffs of seal 56, barrier leg cuffs, and barrier waist cuffs 60. U.S. Patent 4,515,595, issued May 17, 1985, to Kiev; and U.S. Patent 4,816,025, issued March 28, 1989, to Foreman, are incorporated herein by reference to illustrate an elasticized waistband for a diaper 20.

Figure 1 shows a modality of the diaper 20 in which the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 have length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core 44. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 extend longitudinally further beyond the laterally extending core ends 45A and 45B, to form the anterior and posterior waist regions 22 and 24. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 extend laterally beyond the side edges of the core 45C and 45D to form the side margins 58. Although the topsheet 38, the backsheet 42, and the absorbent core 44 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, the preferred diaper configurations are generally described in U.S. Pat. 3,860,003 issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, and United States Patent 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 29, 1992, each which are incorporated herein by reference. The spacer 210 is preferably inflatable from the first thickness TI to the second, substantially greater thickness T2. By "substantially greater" it is meant that T2 is at least 10 times, and at least preferably about 50 times as large as TI. The spacer 210 must have a second thickness T2 (Figure 7) in the Z-direction of at least 0.64 cm. (0.25 inches). The thicknesses TI and T2 are measured under a Z-direction compression load of 1 lb / in2, where the compression force is applied over an area that has a circular area of application, or footprint, of approximately 6.45 cm2 (1 in2) ). The spacer 210 illustrated in Figure 1 has a generally lock-shaped form comprising a closed shape other closed shapes suitable for the spacer 210 include, but are not limited to, circles, squares, and elongated shapes, such as ovals and rectangles Alternatively, the spacer 210 may comprise a generally U-shaped shape, open towards the rear. The spacer 210 preferably includes a portion 220 that extends laterally by joining two longitudinally extending portions 222. Suitable dimensions and shapes for a spacer 210 are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 081,733 filed June 23, 1993 in the name of Ahr et al., The documents of which are incorporated herein by reference . In embodiments where the inflated component 200 comprises a stool hollow volume spacer 210, the topsheet and the absorbent core may comprise openings 46 and 47 respectively (the opening 46 is shown as a dotted line in Figure 1). The openings 46 and 47 are aligned with each other, to provide a communication passage of fecal material from the user's anal opening into the hollow space 211. Alternatively, the openings 46 and 47 may be omitted, and the spacer 210 may provide a depression on the surface of the upper sheet to keep the stool away from the user's skin. As used herein, a "hollow space" is a cavity in an intermediate position of the upper sheet 38 and the back sheet 42, whose cavity is sized to accept fecal material. The hollow space 211 can be closed if the absorbent core 44 is compressed between the upper sheet 38 and the back sheet 42 by the weight of the user. When inflated to have the second thickness T2, the spacer 210 supports the weight of the user and thereby maintains the hollow space 211 such that the hollow space 211 has a thickness of at least about 0.65 cm. (0.25 inches) and a volume of at least approximately 16.4 cm3 (1 in3). The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 can be joined by means well known in the art, such as adhesive bonding, or heat sealing. A particularly preferred method of joining the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 is using hot melt adhesives as manufactured by Century Adhesives, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio, and marketed as Century 5227 or the H11258 adhesive marketed by HB Fuller Company, of St. Paul, Minnesota. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adhesive bond is carried out by spirals or adhesive strips oriented longitudinally.

As used in the present invention, the term "absorbent core" refers to any component of diaper 20 used to absorb and retain body exudates. The absorbent core 44 may have opposite major faces and may be enclosed, if desired, by one or more layers of tissue (not shown). The absorbent core 44 can be manufactured from a variety of commonly used materials such as pulp in a pulverized manner, typically referred to as "airfelt". If desired, the absorbent core 44 may further contain absorbent gelation materials as are commonly used in the art. In particular, the absorbent core 44 can be manufactured according to the teachings of the commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,610,678 issued September 9, 1986, to Weisman et al .; U.S. Patent 5,137,537, issued August 11, 1992, to Herrón et al .; U.S. Patent 4,950,264 issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent 4, 673 ', 402 issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent 4,834,735, issued to Alemany et al .; on May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent 5,147,345, issued September 15, 1992, to Young et al .; U.S. Patent 5,217,445 issued June 8, 1993 to Cook et al .; and U.S. Patent Application 5,234,423 issued August 10, 1993 to Alemany et al .; whose patents are incorporated by reference in the present invention for the purpose of showing how to make an absorbent core suitable for use with the present invention. The absorbent gelation materials manufactured according to the one assigned in common US Patent RE.32, 649 issued April 19, 1988, to Brandt et al. Are suitable for use in a diaper 20 according to the present invention. The absorbent core 44 can be attached to the underside of the topsheet 38, as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the core 44 can be attached to the backsheet 42, or the core 44 can comprise 2 or more layers. The absorbent core 44 may adhesively bond to the topsheet 38 or to the backsheet 42 by any means of attachment well known in the art. Particularly preferred fixing means are spirals of adhesives and longitudinal and transverse strips of adhesives. Particularly preferred types of adhesives are manufactured by Century Adhesives, INC. from Columbus Ohio, as Century 5227, the HL1258 adhesive sold by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul Minnesota, and the XPO-9-035 adhesive manufactured by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. Referring back to Figure 1, the "topsheet" refers to any liquid-permeable sheet facing the diaper 20 that contacts the wearer's skin while the diaper 20 is in use and avoids substantial contact of the absorbent core 44 with the user's skin. The top sheet 38 is preferably compliant, pleasant to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Preferably, the upper sheet 38 is treated to be hydrophilic, to more easily transport the body exudates to the absorbent core 44. A suitable top sheet 38 can be made of materials such as porous foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (eg, wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of the above. A particularly preferred top sheet 38 comprises polypropylene fibers having a denier of about 2.2 and a length of about 15.9 millimeters (0.62 inch). The topsheet 38 can be a non-woven mesh of centrifuged, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled fibers, combinations of the above, or the like. A suitable top sheet 38 is carded and thermally bonded and has a basis weight of 18 to 25 grams, approximately, per square meter. A suitable top sheet 38 is marketed by Veratec, Inc., Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts, under the designation P-8. The openings 46 and 47 are preferably centered laterally on the longitudinal axis 36. The opening 46 can be of any desired shape with a desired shape being an oval having a longitudinal dimension of approximately 5.1 centimeters (2.0 inches) and a transverse dimension of about 3.8 cm (1.5 in). The backmost edge of the opening 46 is positioned at least about 15.2 centimeters (6.0 inches), and preferably about 17.8 cm (7 inches) to about 21.6 cm (8.5 inches) from the trailing edge 32B of the diaper 20 while in use. The opening 47 is aligned with the opening 46, and preferably has an equal or similar shape to the opening 56. Preferably, the spacer 210 is exactly aligned with the openings 46 and 47, so that the spacer 210 does not substantially obstruct the opening 46. or the opening 47, and such that at least a portion of each opening 46 and 47 is positioned in an intermediate position of the longitudinally extending portions 222 of the spacer 210. The back sheet 42 is impervious to fluids, such as urine , and prevents the fluids absorbed by and contained in the absorbent core 44 from wetting the undergarments, garments and bedding. As used in the present invention, the "backsheet" refers to any barrier placed outwardly of the absorbent core 44 when the diaper 20 is in use and which contains the liquids absorbed within the diaper 20. The backsheet 42 is preferably manufactured of a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used. As used in the present invention, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 42 comprises a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or mixed materials such as film-coated nonwoven material. The backsheet 42 can be a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 0.051 mm (0.0004 to 0.002 inches) if desired, the backsheet 42 can be finished in relief or dullness to provide a similar appearance to the fabric A suitable material from which the backsheet 42 can be formed is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio under the designation P-18 -1401, and by Tredegar Industries of Terre Haute, Indiana under the designations X8297 and HTS-5, FSII. Referring again to Figure 1, the spacer 210 may have a lockhole shape generally comprising a closed figure. The lock gap shape shown in Figure 1 has a reduced lateral width facing the anterior waist region 22 to comfortably accommodate the wearer's thighs. Alternatively, the spacer 210 may have a shape comprising an open figure, such as a generally U-shaped configuration that opens backward. A U-shaped configuration suitable for spacer 210 is shown in U.S. Patent 5,171,236 published December 15, 1992 in the name of Dreier et al., The patent of which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the spacer 210 comprises one or more inflatable chambers 230. The inflatable chambers 230 can be formed by the peripheral junction of two chamber walls 232 and 234 in seam 240. In Figures 1 and 2, the wall chamber 232 comprises a portion of the backsheet 42 and the chamber wall 234 is directly attached to the surface 41 of the backsheet 42. Alternatively, the chamber wall 232 may comprise a separate piece of wall, such as a layer of thermoplastic film disposed in an intermediate position to the chamber wall 234 and the backsheet 42. The walls 232 and 234 of the inflatable chambers 230 must be waterproof to the gas, and are preferably made of a material that is soft and flexible. In one embodiment, one or both of the walls 232 and 234 can be formed of an elastomeric film or a stretchable film. The inflatable chamber 230 maintains an inflation thickness T2 of at least about 0.635 cm (0.25 in) for at least 1 hour when the spacer 210 is subjected to a Z-direction compression load of 1 lb / in2, and not it must flatten or break completely when subjected to an impact load such as it may result when the user sits down, or suddenly falls over. Suitable materials for walls 232 and 234 include but are not limited to thermoplastic films, thermoplastic film / metal foil laminates, natural rubbers, and laminated films of natural rubbers and synthetic thermoplastics. Suitable materials for walls 232 and 234 include polyethylene films having a thickness between 0.000635 and 0.0127 cm (0.25 mils). Suitable materials of which one or both of the walls 232 and 234 can be made include materials from which the backsheet 42 can be formed, such as the Tredegar X8297 and Clopay P-18 -1405 films listed above. Other suitable materials of which one or both of the walls 232 and 234 can be made include a polyethylene film available from Tredegar Industries designated C8323. One or both of the walls 232 and 234 can be preformed, such as by forming or vacuum etching. By way of example, the wall 234 may be vacuum formed to provide a generally semicircular or rectangular cross section upon inflation of the chamber 230. The walls 232 and 234 may be joined at junctions 240 by any suitable joining method such as pressure / heat sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding or similar. Suitable junctions 240 can be formed by hot sealing with a 500-watt Vertrod impulse seal, model 12H, setting a high pressure with a heat pulse power setting of 1 second. Said heat sealing unit is manufactured by Vertrod Corporation of Brooklin, New York. Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5 the intermediate pump 300 is disposed to the upper sheet 38 and to the rear sheet 42. The pump 300 preferably comprises a pump chamber 305 having at least one inlet port 340 and thus less an outlet port 360, and an elastic chamber wall 310 forming a boundary portion of the pump chamber 305. The inlet port 340 may extend through the chamber elastic wall 310. The pump 300 may be directly attached to the backsheet 42 as shown in Figures 3 to 5. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the elastic chamber wall 310 is directly attached to the backsheet 42 such that the pump 300 is integral with the backsheet 42, with the backsheet 42 forming a boundary portion of the pump chamber 305. An integral pump 300 with the backsheet 42 is desirable because said arrangement provides the diaper 20 with a volume appearance It is also low, thin before inflating the spacer 210. In an alternate embodiment, the elastic chamber wall 310 may form the total boundary of the pump chamber 305, and may be attached to the backsheet, either directly or indirectly. The elastic wall of chamber 310 is formed of a material such as rubber, or a suitable thermoplastic polymer. A suitable elastic wall can be molded from a polyester-urethane polymer Estañe 5708 Fl to have a thickness t (Figure 3) of about 0.3 mm. Referring to Figures 3 and 5 the pump 300 may have a pair of interconnected pump chambers 305, each having a height H of about 5.0 mm. , a length L of approximately 25.0 mm. , and a width W approximately 15.0 mm. Each entry port 340 can have a generally circular shape with a diameter of approximately 3.0 mm. The elastic chamber wall 310 may be attached to the backsheet 42 along a joint 390, as shown in Figure 5. The joint 390 may be formed by any suitable method, including but not limited to pressure sealing / heat, adhesive bonding, or ultrasonic bonding. Suitable junctions 390 can be formed with the Vertrod heat stimulus sealing unit previously written. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the topsheet 42 extends longitudinally and laterally outward from the perimeter 45 of the absorbent core 44. The pump 300 has an inlet port 340 disposed outwardly from the perimeter 45 of the absorbent core. Said arrangement is desirable, in such a way that the relatively thick absorbent core does not interfere with the activation of the pump 300. In Figures 1, 3 and 4, the pump 300 is shown positioned in the rear waist region 24. Alternatively, the pump 300 may be placed in the anterior waist region 22 or in one of the lateral margins 58, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1. In Figures 1, 3 and 4, the entry portal 340 is disposed underlying the sheet 42. As shown in Figure 4, a tip of the finger can be placed on the portion of the back sheet 42 covering the portal holder. input 340 for restricting the air flow of pump chamber 305 through inlet port 340. A force applied by the tip of the finger deforms the elastic wall of chamber 360, thereby forcing air from the pump chamber 305 towards the chamber 230 of the spacer 210. Upon release of the pressure applied by the tip of the finger, the elastic chamber wall 310 regains its undeformed shape, thereby directing air to the pump chamber 305 through the the inlet port 340. The cycle of applying a force by the tip of the finger can then be repeated to further inflate the spacer 210. Whereupon, the spacer 210 can be inflated to the degree desired by the user or by the person what I put to the diaper. Placing the entrance port 340 underlying the rear sheet 42 and between the perimeter of the core 45 and the perimeter of the diaper 28, provides the advantage that the air for filling the pump chamber 305 can pass through the upper sheet 38. Said arrangement allows the entire pump 300 to be discreetly hidden between the upper sheet 38 and the back sheet, and does not require an air passage extending from the pump 300 and between the upper sheet 38 and the back sheet 42 to along the perimeter 28 of the diaper 20. In an alternate embodiment the entry portal 340 may comprise an opening extending between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 42 along a portion of the perimeter 28. Said aperture between the sheet The upper and the backsheet is undesirable because it is added to the complexity of the manufacture of the diaper 20. In another alternate embodiment, the inlet port 340 may be located on the backsheet 42, however, said rear side glo is not generally preferred because the backsheet 42 functions as a liquid impervious barrier. Therefore, it is not generally desirable to have openings in the backsheet 42. In yet another embodiment, the pump 300 may be attached to the surface 43 of the backsheet 42. The check valve 400 provides the unidirectional flow of the pump 300 to chamber 230 of spacer 210. Referring to Figure 2, check valve 400 may comprise a flexible flap 410 deformable from a first closed position to a second open position. The flap 410 is shown in a closed position in Figures 2 and 3, and in an open position in Figure 4. The fin 410 is shown disposed in a passage 420 (Figure 3) having first and second opposite walls corresponding to portions of the wall 234 and the rear sheet 42. The fin 410 has a upstream fin edge 402 attached to the wall 234 and a downstream edge 414 which engages the backsheet 42 when the fin 410 is in the closed position of Figures 2 and 3. A check valve comprising a fin 410 is relatively thin, and provides the diaper 20 with an appearance of relatively low, thin volume. In Figure 2, fin 410 is shown as a separate piece of material attached to wall 234. Said fin 410 can be made of the same material from which wall 234 is formed and have a thickness of between about 0.012 mm to about 0.051. mm. the fin 410 may be attached to the wall 234 by any suitable method, such as by heat sealing with the aforementioned Vertrod heat stimulus sealing unit. In an alternate embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the flap 410 may comprise an extension of the elastic wall of chamber 310. Said extension should have a reduced thickness in relation to thickness t, such that fin 410 is sufficiently flexible to be deformed between the closed and open positions by the difference in air pressure in the chamber 230 and in the pump chamber 305. In an alternate embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pump 300 comprises an elastic element 500 disposed within the pump chamber 305. "Elastic element" means an element that can be compressed by a compression load from a first thickness to a second thickness less than or equal to approximately 60% of its first thickness, and that the The element recovers at least about 70% of its first thickness within about 15 seconds of releasing the compression load The elastic member 500 may be compressed, such as r a tip of the finger, to force the air from the pump chamber 315 into the chamber of the spacer 230. By releasing the compression force of the elastic element 500, the element 500 expands thereby sucking a fresh supply of air towards the pump chamber 305 through the inlet port 340. Preferably, the elastic member 500 has a relatively low resistance to the compression load, such that the elastic member 500 can be easily compressed with a finger tip as shown in FIG. shown in Figure 7. Preferably the elastic member 500 can be compressed from a first thickness to a second thickness less than or equal to about 60% of the first thickness by TO a compression load not greater than about 1 lb / in2 applied with a load application foot that has a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. The elastic element 500 must be able to be cyclically compressed without substantial loss of its no-load gauge between the compression cycles, so that the pump 300 can be activated by repeatedly pressing and releasing the elastic element 500 with a fingertip. Preferably the elastic member 500 is capable of being cyclically compressed at least 25 times per minute to less than about 60% of its no-load gauge, initial in each compression cycle, with the elastic element recovering at least about 75% of its initial intermediate caliber in each compression cycle. The compression load required to compress the elastic member to less than about 60% of its initial non-loaded gauge during each compression cycle is preferably no greater than about 1 lb / in2 applied with a loading application having a diameter of approximately 1.5. inches A suitable test device for cyclically compressing an elastic element 500 is an Advanced Tester EME 599 manufactured by EME INC. of Newbury, Ohio. In one embodiment the elastic element 500 can be porous, in such a way that the air sucked in the pump chamber 305 is directed towards the elastic element 500, also as towards the space in the chamber 305 not occupied by the elastic element 500. A Suitable elastic element 500 can be formed from a sponge or foam material. In one embodiment, the elastic member 500 may comprise an open cell foam. By "open cell" it means that the individual cells of the foam are for the most part not completely isolated from each other by the material of the cell walls. The elastic element 500 can have a density of about 0.01 gr / cm3 and about 0.1 gr / cm3, as measured under a confining pressure of about 0.0125 lb / in2 applied with a loading application foot having a diameter of about 1.5 inches A suitable open cell foam from which the elastic member 500 can be made is a polyurethane foam having a density of between about 0.015 and about 0.025 gr / cm3, such is available as foam # 1230 from American Excelsior Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio Other suitable materials from which the elastic member 500 can be made include natural sponge materials having a density of between about 0.015 to about 0.025 gr / cm3, and a polyethylene foam having a density of between about 0.020 to about 0.030 gr / cm3. Another open cell foam is a foam prepared by polymerizing a high internal phase emulsion, such as is described in U.S. Patent 5,147,345 issued September 15, 1992 to Young et al., Whose patent is incorporated herein by reference . The elastic element 500 can have a thickness in the unrestricted, free Z-direction of approximately 0.7 inches. Before use the elastic element 500 can be compressed to a reduced thickness in the Z-direction for storage and shipping. For example, the elastic member 500 can be compressed to a reduced thickness, and the input holder 340 can be covered with a peelable seal, such as a piece of tape or film with adhesive backing. The seal covering the inlet port 340 prevents air from the air inlet to the chamber 305, and thereby preventing the expansion of the elastic member 500 at the point of use of the disposable absorbent article the seal covering the carrier input 340 may be removed, thereby allowing the elastic member 500 to recover its free, unrestricted thickness. The pump chamber 305 can be joined by two pump chamber walls 352 and 354, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the wall 353 is separated from the back sheet 42, but in an alternate embodiment, the wall 352 may comprise a portion of backsheet 42. Walls 352 and 354 should be formed from a gas impermeable material, such as a thermoplastic film. Suitable materials of which the walls 352 and 354 can be formed include the materials listed above with reference to the backsheet 42 and the walls of the spacer chamber 232 and 234. The walls 352 and 354 may be peripherally joined by any method suitable including pressure / heat sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding and the like. The wall 352 may include an outlet port of the pump 360 that is aligned with an opening 236 in the wall of the spacer chamber 234. The walls 234 and 352 may be joined together, adjacent to the opening 236 and to the port. outlet 360, by any suitable method such as pressure / heat sealing, adhesive bonding and the like to prevent the escape of air from between walls 234 and 352. Figures 6 and 7 show an alternate embodiment of a check valve 400 to provide the unidirectional flow from the pump chamber 305 to the spacer chamber 230. The check valve 400 is shown attached to the wall of the spacer chamber 234 in Figures 6 and 7. The check valve 400 includes a deformable fin 460 held in first and second ends, 462 and 464. The check valve 400 also includes a holding part 460 attached to the wall 234 and having an opening 476 aligned with the exit port 360. When the air pressure in the spacer chamber 230 is greater than the air pressure in the air chamber 305 (e.g., when the elastic member 500 is expanding within the pump chamber 305), the pressure differential causes the fin 460 to cover the opening 476 and thereby the air flow from the chamber 230 to the pump chamber 305 is prevented. When the air pressure in the pump chamber 305 is greater than the air pressure in the spacer chamber 230 (e.g., when the element elastic 500 is compressed by a fingertip), the pressure difference between the fin 460 intermediate to the first and second ends 462 and 464, as shown in Figure 7, to allow air to enter the spacer chamber 230 from the pump chamber 305 through of the exit port 360. A thin film valve having a fin supported on the first and second ends, and suitable for use as check valve 400 is manufactured by Plitek, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois under the trade name of PLI-VALV. In the other embodiments shown, the inflatable component 200 comprises a spacer 210. Although, the components 210 inflatable by the pump 300 are not limited to spacers to provide the hollow volume of feces. For example, the inflatable component 200 may comprise an inflatable component positioned along the waist regions 22, 24, or at the side margins 58, to prevent leakage in the waist regions 22, 24 and at the side margins, respectively. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A disposable absorbent article comprising: a liquid impervious backsheet; a liquid-permeable upper sheet attached to the backsheet; an absorbent core positioned intermediate to the top sheet and the back sheet; an inflatable component placed in the absorbent and inflatable article from a first thickness to a second thickness substantially greater than the first thickness; and a pump disposed in the absorbent article for inflating the inflatable component. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pump is disposed intermediate to the backsheet and the topsheet. 3. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pump is directly attached to the backsheet. 4. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 3, further characterized in that the pump is integral with the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article according to claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, further characterized in that the upper sheet extends outward from a perimeter of the absorbent core, and characterized in that the pump has an inlet port disposed towards outside the perimeter of the absorbent core and underlying the portion of the top sheet. The disposable absorbent article according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, further characterized in that the pump comprises an elastic chamber wall. The disposable absorbent article according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, further characterized in that the pump comprises an elastic element disposed within a pump chamber. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 7, further characterized in that the elastic element is porous. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 8, further characterized in that the elastic member comprises an open cell foam. The disposable absorbent article according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, characterized in that it further comprises a check valve to provide unidirectional flow from the pump to the inflatable component. ABSTRACT A diaper having an inflatable component and a pump is described. The pump has a pump chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, and an elastic chamber wall. The elastic chamber wall is deformable to move the air from the pump chamber to the inflatable component. A check valve provides unidirectional flow from the pump to the inflatable component.