Disposable absorbent article having an inflatable spacer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A disposable absorbent article having a front edge, a rear edge, longitudinal edge, and longitudinal and lateral centerlines, the disposable absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet, the liquid pervious topsheet having an aperture therethrough for receiving fecal matter;
an absorbent core disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet;
an inflatable component comprising;
an inflatable spacer disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer having an inflated volume and inflated thickness for maintaining a fecal void space thickness intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer comprising at least one inflatable spacer chamber;
a gas evolving material disposed within the inflatable component, the gas evolving material evolving a gas for inflating the inflatable spacer upon combining with an activating material; and
a port for receiving the activating material and communicating the activating material to the gas evolving material;
wherein the gas evolving material is disposed intermediate a gas permeable membrane and the port.
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Abstract
A disposable diaper having an inflatable component is disclosed. The inflatable component comprises an inflatable spacer, a gas evolving material, and a port for receiving an activating material. The port can comprise a gas impermeable, liquid permeable membrane, an adhesive closure, or a mechanical closure. The inflatable spacer maintains a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet of the diaper.
136 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A disposable absorbent article having a front edge, a rear edge, longitudinal edge, and longitudinal and lateral centerlines, the disposable absorbent article comprising:
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a liquid impervious backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet, the liquid pervious topsheet having an aperture therethrough for receiving fecal matter; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; an inflatable component comprising; an inflatable spacer disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer having an inflated volume and inflated thickness for maintaining a fecal void space thickness intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer comprising at least one inflatable spacer chamber; a gas evolving material disposed within the inflatable component, the gas evolving material evolving a gas for inflating the inflatable spacer upon combining with an activating material; and a port for receiving the activating material and communicating the activating material to the gas evolving material;
wherein the gas evolving material is disposed intermediate a gas permeable membrane and the port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A disposable absorbent article having a front edge, a rear edge, longitudinal edges, and longitudinal and lateral centerlines, the disposable absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet, the liquid pervious topsheet having an aperture therethrough for receiving fecal matter; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; an inflatable spacer disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet and having an inflated volume for maintaining a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer comprising at least one inflatable spacer chamber; and an acquisition component in fluid communication with the inflatable spacer chamber, the acquisition component comprising; a gas evolving material disposed within the acquisition component, the gas evolving material evolving a gas for inflating the inflatable spacer chamber upon combining with an activating material; and a cellulose acetate membrane for receiving the activating material and communicating the activating material to the gas evolving material, the cellulose acetate membrane positioned longitudinally intermediate the aperture in the topsheet and the front edge of the disposable absorbent article.
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
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7. A disposable absorbent article having a front edge, a rear edge, longitudinal edges, and longitudinal and lateral centerlines, the disposable absorbent article comprising:
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a liquid impervious backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet, the liquid pervious topsheet having an aperture therethrough for receiving fecal matter; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; an inflatable component comprising; an inflatable spacer disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet and having an inflated volume for maintaining a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer comprising at least one inflatable spacer chamber; and an acquisition component in fluid communication with the inflatable spacer chamber, the acquisition component comprising; a gas evolving material disposed within the acquisition component, the gas evolving material evolving a gas for inflating the inflatable spacer chamber upon combining with an activating material; and a semipermeable membrane, at least a portion of the semipermeable membrane longitudinally positioned intermediate the aperture in the topsheet and the front edge of the disposable absorbent article. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A disposable absorbent article having a front edge, a rear edge, longitudinal edges, and longitudinal and lateral centerlines, the disposable absorbent article comprising:
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a liquid impervious backsheet; a liquid pervious topsheet joined to the backsheet, the liquid pervious topsheet having an aperture therethrough for receiving fecal matter; an absorbent core disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; an inflatable component comprising; an inflatable spacer disposed intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet and having an inflated volume for maintaining a fecal void space intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the inflatable spacer comprising at least one inflatable spacer chamber and having longitudinally extending portions registered with the aperture in the topsheet; and an acquisition component in fluid communication with the inflatable spacer chamber and having an inflated volume less than the inflated volume of the inflatable spacer, the acquisition component comprising; a pocket having first and second boundaries, the first boundary comprising a semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane longitudinally positioned intermediate the aperture in the topsheet and the front edge of the disposable absorbent article, and the second boundary comprising a gas permeable membrane; a mixture comprising a bicarbonate, a powdered acid, and a salt, the mixture supported adjacent the semipermeable membrane by the gas permeable membrane. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification