Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes, comprising a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes, comprising a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, and an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position. The controller is further configured to receive a low-level signal indicating that the amount of sheet products left within the housing has been reduced to below a predetermined level and, upon receiving said low-level signal, to enter into a low-level mode in which the sending of the drive signal in response to the pull-out signal is disabled.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position, and a pull-out detector for detecting the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and for providing the pull-out signal to the controller.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes; a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position, and a pull-out detector for detecting the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and for providing the pull-out signal to the controller.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, and an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position. The controller is further configured to receive a low-level signal indicating that the amount of sheet products left within the housing has been reduced to below a predetermined level and, upon receiving said low-level signal, to enter into a low-level mode in which the sending of the drive signal in response to the pull-out signal is disabled.

Abstract: A dispenser for hygiene products includes an electromechanical switch that is configured to operate when a hygiene product is dispensed. The action of dispensing the hygiene product causes the electromechanical switch to convert the mechanical energy associated with the dispensing action into electrical energy. The dispenser is configured to use the electrical energy to emit a signal such that the dispenser emits two signals each time a hygiene product is dispensed. A system for monitoring the consumption of hygiene products in a dispenser includes a dispenser as described above and a receiver for wirelessly receiving the emitted signal, the receiver being positioned remotely from the dispenser, and a central computer or server for receiving data from the receiver. A method of monitoring a dispenser for hygiene products is also provided.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a back sheet with an absorbent core disposed on a body side of the back sheet. On a back side of the back sheet, there is provided a substrate carrying a conductive pattern as a liquid discharge detection circuit that is able to be connected to an electric potential generator for performing liquid discharge detection. At least one or a plurality of holes is formed through the back sheet to communicate portions of the conductive pattern with the absorbent core. Longitudinally adjacent pairs of the revealed portions of the conductive pattern form liquid discharge detection zones for detecting liquid discharge in the absorbent core. The detection zones are longitudinally distributed with respect to the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method of securing a conductive thread in an absorbent article is disclosed. The method includes: passing a thread through a first surface of the absorbent article; and anchoring a first length of the thread on the first surface by applying adhesive at a position on the first length of the thread between a point at which the thread passes through the surface and a first end of the thread to cover at least a portion of the thread and a portion of the surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting a liquid discharge event in an absorbent article including a sensor adapted to generate an electrical output signal representative of a degree of wetness of the absorbent article, wherein the electrical output signal is received by a processing unit. The method including the steps of providing reference data over time representative of a liquid discharge; acquiring liquid discharge data over time in form of the electrical output signal; analyzing the liquid discharge data over time in relation to the reference data over time by the processing unit; and detecting a liquid discharge event based on the analysis. Also disclosed is a system for detecting liquid discharge event in an absorbent article including an absorbent article including a sensor being arranged to generate an output signal representative of an electrical property, and a processing unit adapted to process the output signal generated by the sensor of the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge when worn on the crotch region of the body of a user includes a plurality of detection zones for detecting the liquid discharge. Each detection zone is provided by first and second electrically conductive paths that are electrically isolated from one another and arranged so that a liquid discharge between the first and second conductive paths allows electrical current to flow between the first and second conductive paths which is able to be detected to detect the presence of liquid discharge in the respective zone. The plurality of zones are longitudinally distributed with respect to the absorbent article along an absorbent core of the absorbent article, to allow the longitudinal extent of the discharge to be ascertained. The first and second conductive paths are longitudinally spaced from one another. The first and second conductive paths are elongate and are laterally aligned.

Abstract: A method for monitoring use of an absorbent product, such as an incontinence pad or a diaper, worn by a wearer, includes registering a movement of the wearer by way of a mobile device having a movement sensing device, evaluating whether the registered movement is indicative of urinary and/or faecal voiding by the wearer, and providing product-related information to the wearer or a caregiver of the wearer based on said evaluation. In this way, the product-wearer or the caregiver can be provided with valuable information related to the use of the product, such as recommendations on when to change the product, displayed on the mobile device or a mobile device of the caregiver.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge of a wearer when worn in the crotch region includes an absorbent core for doing the absorbing of the liquid discharge. A conductive layer is in electrical contact with the absorbent core. The article includes at least one set of first and second electrical contacts secured in intimate physical and electrical contact with the conductive layer such that when an electric potential is applied between the first and second electrical contacts, an electric current travels between them and through the conductive layer in such a way so as to follow a first relatively high impedance path along the conductive layer when the absorbent core is dry and a relatively low impedance path when the absorbent core is wet. This system allows a system verification check, even in the dry state, and the determination of the extent of the wet portion of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method of securing a conductive thread in an absorbent article is disclosed. The method includes: passing a thread through a first surface of the absorbent article; and anchoring a first length of the thread on the first surface by applying adhesive at a position on the first length of the thread between a point at which the thread passes through the surface and a first end of the thread to cover at least a portion of the thread and a portion of the surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge of a wearer includes conductive loops each in an open loop shape having terminal ends for electrically communicating with opposing poles of an electric potential generator such that current flows around the full conductive loop between the terminal ends when a space defined within the open loop shape is dry and such that liquid discharge in the space defined within the open loop shape is able to cause a short circuit in the conductive loop so that the current flows around a reduced impedance path. The impedance change is measurable to determine a location relative to the terminal ends where the liquid discharge has caused the short circuit. The conductive loops are oriented such that the direction in which the current travels up an outward leg of the respective conductive loop is in substantially the opposite direction for a first conductive loop as for a second conductive loop.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a back sheet with an absorbent core disposed on a body side of the back sheet. On a back side of the back sheet, there is provided a substrate carrying a conductive pattern as a liquid discharge detection circuit that is able to be connected to an electric potential generator for performing liquid discharge detection. At least one or a plurality of holes is formed through the back sheet to communicate portions of the conductive pattern with the absorbent core. Longitudinally adjacent pairs of the revealed portions of the conductive pattern form liquid discharge detection zones for detecting liquid discharge in the absorbent core. The detection zones are longitudinally distributed with respect to the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method for detecting a liquid discharge event in an absorbent article including a sensor adapted to generate an electrical output signal representative of a degree of wetness of the absorbent article, wherein the electrical output signal is received by a processing unit. The method including the steps of providing reference data over time representative of a liquid discharge; acquiring liquid discharge data over time in form of the electrical output signal; analysing the liquid discharge data over time in relation to the reference data over time by the processing unit; and detecting a liquid discharge event based on the analysis. Also disclosed is a system for detecting liquid discharge event in an absorbent article including an absorbent article including a sensor being arranged to generate an output signal representative of an electrical property, and a processing unit adapted to process the output signal generated by the sensor of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for monitoring use of an absorbent product, such as an incontinence pad or a diaper, worn by a wearer, includes registering a movement of the wearer by way of a mobile device having a movement sensing device, evaluating whether the registered movement is indicative of urinary and/or faecal voiding by the wearer, and providing product-related information to the wearer or a caregiver of the wearer based on said evaluation. In this way, the product-wearer or the caregiver can be provided with valuable information related to the use of the product, such as recommendations on when to change the product, displayed on the mobile device or a mobile device of the caregiver.