Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090062758 | Method and device for determining the need to replace an absorbent article - A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including a counter to count the number of discrete insults, a timer to monitor the elapsed time that the article has been worn, and an alarm to indicate that the number of discrete insults has reached an insult limit or that the elapsed time has reached an elapsed time limit, whichever occurs first. The signaling device can be adapted to indicate one of first, second, and third conditions, the first condition being that the number of discrete insults has reached an insult limit, the second condition being that the elapsed time has reached an elapsed time limit, and the third condition being the first to occur of either of the first and second conditions, and wherein the condition to be indicated is selected by the wearer or by a caregiver. | 03-05-2009 |
20090294435 | Heating Articles Using Conductive Webs - A heating article is provided including a heating element including a first layer of nonwoven fibers mixed with conductive fibers, wherein the layer is divided to include a conductive region and a nonconductive region, wherein the conductive region extends in a co-extensive and co-planar pattern in a majority of the layer, and wherein the conductive region has first and second ends, and a power source removably coupled to the first and second ends. The first layer can include nonwoven fibers mixed with non-metallic conductive fibers. The heating article can also include a second layer superposed with the first layer, wherein the second layer is substantially free of non-metallic conductive fibers. | 12-03-2009 |
20090315728 | Method of reducing sensor corrosion in absorbent articles - Methods of reducing sensor corrosion include providing a monitor adapted to electrically connect with a wetness sensor integrated with an absorbent article. The wetness sensor has a first conductor and a second conductor and the monitor includes programming instructions that, when the monitor is attached and activated, repetitively execute a sequence of steps that includes applying voltage to the first conductor; measuring the potential across the conductors; and discontinuing the voltage to the first conductor. The instructions may also repetitively execute a sequence of steps that includes alternatively applying voltage to the first and second conductors and/or grounding the first conductor and/or second conductors after discontinuing voltage. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326409 | Clothing sufficiency indicator - A clothing sufficiency indication system is presented for use in conjunction with a disposable absorbent article. The system includes a microclimate sensor adapted to be disposed on the disposable absorbent article, the microclimate sensor including a microclimate temperature sensing portion adapted to sense a microclimate temperature, wherein the clothing sufficiency indication system is adapted to generate a clothing sufficiency indication based on the microclimate temperature. Also presented is a method for determining the clothing sufficiency of a subject including providing a clothing sufficiency indication system including a microclimate sensor for measuring a microclimate temperature within clothing of the subject, translating the microclimate temperature into a clothing sufficiency recommendation, and communicating the clothing sufficiency recommendation to a caregiver. | 12-31-2009 |
20100152688 | Wetness sensor insert - An insert for sensing a bodily fluid or condition and for use in conjunction with an undergarment or a disposable absorbent article is provided, the insert including a first substrate having a first substrate article-facing surface and a first substrate body-facing surface, a second substrate having a second substrate body-facing surface, and an absorbent element disposed between the first and second substrates. The insert also includes two conductive elements disposed between the second substrate body-facing surface and the first substrate article-facing surface, wherein the conductive elements are adapted to be removably connectable to a signaling device. Also provided is an insert including a first substrate having a first substrate article-facing surface; and two conductive elements disposed on the first substrate, wherein each conductive element comprises conductive paper or tissue, and wherein the conductive elements are adapted to be removably connectable to a signaling device. | 06-17-2010 |
20100168694 | Infrared Wetness Detection System For An Absorbent Article - A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article includes a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector adapted to sense a change in infrared light reflectance due to an insult to the absorbent article, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. In addition, a body exudate collection and detection system includes an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article for detecting the presence of a body exudate therein, the signaling device including a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. | 07-01-2010 |
20100168702 | Conductor-Less Detection System For An Absorbent Article - Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one aspect, for instance, a signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. The signaling device can include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article. | 07-01-2010 |
20120157948 | Absorbent Article With Indicator - A disposable absorbent article and a method for providing a disposable absorbent article having a urine insult volume indicator and a longitudinal centerline having a urine insult volume indicator and a longitudinal centerline includes a liquid permeable inner surface for facing a wearer; an outer cover having an outer surface for facing away from the wearer; an absorbent body disposed therebetween; and a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions. The article also includes a two-dimensional pattern having a plurality of segments, a longitudinal extent, and a transverse extent, the pattern disposed between the absorbent core and the outer surface, wherein the pattern is in fluid contact with the absorbent core, and wherein a segment changes appearance when wetted and is visible from the outer surface when wetted. | 06-21-2012 |
20130018340 | Absorbent Article Fullness IndicatorAANM Abraham; Jose KollakompilAACI NeenahAAST WIAACO USAAGP Abraham; Jose Kollakompil Neenah WI USAANM Ales, III; Thomas MichaelAACI NeenahAAST WIAACO USAAGP Ales, III; Thomas Michael Neenah WI USAANM Gakhar; SudhanshuAACI NeenahAAST WIAACO USAAGP Gakhar; Sudhanshu Neenah WI USAANM Heller; Jeffrey RobertAACI NeenahAAST WIAACO USAAGP Heller; Jeffrey Robert Neenah WI USAANM Nhan; Davis Dang HoangAACI AppletonAAST WIAACO USAAGP Nhan; Davis Dang Hoang Appleton WI USAANM Feldkamp; Joseph RaymondAACI AppletonAAST WIAACO USAAGP Feldkamp; Joseph Raymond Appleton WI USAANM Ranganathan; SridharAACI SuwaneeAAST GAAACO USAAGP Ranganathan; Sridhar Suwanee GA US - A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including an alarm to indicate that the absorbent article has reached an insult limit. The signaling device operates with a sensor array which is disposed on the outermost surface of the absorbent article outer cover. The signaling device includes a detection circuit which measures changes in inductance or capacitance. The wetness monitoring system does not make direct contact with the absorbent structure located within an outer cover of the absorbent article. | 01-17-2013 |