Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a signal composite comprising a carrier substrate layer, a first stimulation layer, a second stimulation layer, a first thermoplastic adhesive layer and a second thermoplastic adhesive layer. The carrier substrate layer is disposed as a bottom layer of the signal composite. The first stimulation layer comprises a first stimulation material and is disposed above and adjacent to the carrier substrate layer. The second stimulation layer comprises a second stimulation material and is disposed above and adjacent to the first stimulation layer to provide the body-facing surface of the signal composite. The first thermoplastic adhesive layer is liquid permeable or water-soluble and is disposed between and adjacent to the carrier substrate layer and the first stimulation layer. The second thermoplastic adhesive layer is liquid permeable or water-soluble and is disposed between the first stimulation layer and the second stimulation layer.

Abstract: A pant-like absorbent article is provided including an absorbent chassis defining a waist opening and first and second leg openings, the absorbent chassis including an absorbent assembly. The absorbent chassis has a longitudinal length and the waist opening having an unstretched circumference, such that the longitudinal length is proportional to the unstretched circumference of the waist opening by a ratio less than 0.82. The absorbent article also includes a wetness indicator for alerting a wearer to a release of liquid body exudates, the wetness indicator including a physical sensation agent responsive to liquid body exudates received by the absorbent article to facilitate a physical sensation against the wearer's skin for alerting the wearer to the wearer's release of liquid body exudates.

Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least two conductive elements that form an open circuit within the article. Each conductive element is connected to a conductive pad member that has sufficient surface area in order to facilitate connection to a signaling device. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the pad members to a signaling device. In particular, although the absorbent articles are disposable, the signaling device is intended to be used with multiple absorbent articles. Therefore, a simple and efficient method of connecting the signaling device to the pad members provides various advantages. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the pad members comprise a conductive loop-type material that is attached to a corresponding conductive hook-type material on the signaling device.

Abstract: A radiating element made from a conductive-nonwoven web is incorporated into a signal emitting apparatus. The signal emitting apparatus, for instance, may comprise an RFID tag. The conductive-nonwoven web contains, in one embodiment, conductive fibers combined with pulp fibers. The conductive fibers may comprise carbon fibers. The nonwoven web may be made using a conventional paper-making process. The resulting conductive web is not only well suited for use as an antenna, but is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily incorporated into numerous products.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 embodiment, for instance, conductive zones are formed directly into the outer cover for forming the signaling system. Alternatively, a sensor may be mounted to the outer cover of the article for monitoring changes within the article. The sensor may comprise, for instance, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, an optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a humidity sensor, a material expansion sensor, a chemical sensor, or the like.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided including a liquid impermeable outercover, an absorbent body disposed on the outercover, and a body-facing inner surface including body adhesive disposed thereon. The absorbent article also includes a physical sensation member disposed between the absorbent body and the wearer, the physical sensation member adapted to provide a physical sensation to the wearer when the physical sensation member is contacted by a bodily exudate. The absorbent article is also provided including a liquid impermeable outercover, an absorbent body disposed on the outercover, and a physical sensation member disposed on the absorbent body, the physical sensation member adapted to provide a physical sensation to the wearer. The absorbent article also provides a liquid permeable, wherein the liner includes a body-facing inner surface including body adhesive disposed thereon.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Temporary tattoos to be applied to the skin of a wearer for the detection of an analyte are generally disclosed. The temporary tattoo can be applied to the skin via a temporary tattoo decal. The temporary tattoo can indicate the presence of an analyte by displaying a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of a targeted analyte. This change in color can indicate to the wearer and/or caregiver the presence of the targeted analyte in real-time.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a pouch for the collection of bodily waste are generally disclosed. The pouch can generally be located on or within the wearer contacting surface of an absorbent article. The pouch can have an opening ready to receive the bodily waste or can include a pouch opening mechanism. Additionally, a pouch closing mechanism can be included within the absorbent article to close the opening of the pouch upon collection of the bodily waste.

Abstract: A method for assisting a caregiver in determining when to select a next generation product for facilitating toilet training. The method includes the steps of providing information to a caregiver about a second absorbent product, such as a next generation product, while the caregiver is using a first absorbent product in conjunction with a child. The child, for instance, may not have started toilet training or may be in the process of toilet training. Based upon a behavioral or wetness characteristic of the child, recommendations are made to the caregiver when it is time to switch to the next generation product to facilitate toilet training. For instance, in one embodiment, the method may include comparing a wetness characteristic of the child with a readiness target. Once the readiness target is met, a recommendation may be made to the caregiver to switch to a product that includes a toilet training feature not present in the product currently being worn by the child.

Abstract: A radiating element made from a conductive-nonwoven web is incorporated into a signal emitting apparatus. The signal emitting apparatus, for instance, may comprise an RFID tag. The conductive-nonwoven web contains, in one embodiment, conductive fibers combined with pulp fibers. The conductive fibers may comprise carbon fibers. The nonwoven web may be made using a conventional paper-making process. The resulting conductive web is not only well suited for use as an antenna, but is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily incorporated into numerous products.

Abstract: A monitor, for use with an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, includes a power management system. The monitor may include a hinge, a housing, and a power management system. The power management system may include an integrally activated and deactivated power circuit. The power circuit includes a first contact associated with the hinge and a second contact associated with the housing. The first contact is electrically connected with the second contact when the monitor is in a closed condition. The first contact is electrically disconnected with the second contact when the monitor is in an open condition. A monitor having a power management system may further include an attachment circuit and/or a continuity circuit.

Abstract: A compressed substrate having an altered upper surface is generally disclosed. The compressed substrate is configured to expand in the z-direction upon contact with a liquid to form an expanded substrate without substantially expanding in either the x-direction or the y-direction. The altered upper surface of the expanded substrate has an expanded surface area that is at least about 110% of the initial surface area of the compressed substrate. The compressed substrate is constructed from a compression molded web and includes an active agent. The compressed substrate can be included within the construction of an absorbent article to transfer the active agent to a wearer. The upper surface of a compressed substrate can be altered after formation of the compressed substrate. Alternatively, the upper surface of the compressed substrate can be altered during the compression process.

Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. The wetness sensor includes an olfactory signaling device that produces a scent or odor when a body fluid is detected. For instance, in one embodiment, an odorous composition can be contained in a water degradable pouch that releases the odorous composition when contacted with moisture. Once released, the odorous composition can produce a desired scent. In other embodiments, the odorous composition can be encapsulated within a water degradable material or can be coated on a substrate. The scent or odor that is released by the odorous composition can vary depending upon the particular application. The scent, for instance, may be pleasant or unpleasant. In one embodiment, the olfactory signaling device may be used to assist in toilet training a child.

Abstract: Absorbent articles including a compressed tablet are generally described. The compressed tablet of the present invention is configured to expand toward the skin of the wearer (i.e., in the z-direction of the absorbent article perpendicular to the plane of the absorbent article) upon contact with a liquid. However, the expansion of the compressed tablet is substantially limited to the z-direction. That is, the compressed tablet does not substantially expand in any direction parallel with the plane of the article (i.e., the x- and y-directions). As such, the compressed tablet does not significantly interfere with the absorbent capabilities of the absorbent article. Thus, the compressed tablet can be included within conventional absorbent articles without significantly sacrificing the absorbency characteristics of the article.

Abstract: Absorbent articles including a wetness indicator are generally described. The wetness indicator of the present invention is configured to expand toward the skin of the wearer (i.e., in the z-direction of the absorbent article perpendicular to the plane of the absorbent article) upon contact with a liquid. However, the expansion of the wetness indicator is substantially limited to the z-direction. That is, the wetness indicator does not substantially expand in any direction parallel with the plane of the article (i.e., the x- and y-directions). As such, the wetness indicator does not significantly interfere with the absorbent capabilities of the absorbent article. Thus, the wetness indicator can be included within conventional absorbent articles without significantly sacrificing the absorbency characteristics of the article.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for tracking behavior is described. The system includes at least one computing device adapted to receive data from at least one tracking pod, generate at least one report utilizing at least a portion of the data, and provide a user access to the data and the at least one report. The data indicates a behavior.

Abstract: A recording tool is provided for tracking absorbent article use, the tool including an ordinal number for each absorbent article for a given day; associated with each absorbent article, a non-alphanumeric health condition graphical representation of whether the absorbent article indicates the health condition, wherein the health condition graphical representation is thematically related to the health condition; and associated with the given day, a health condition assessment summarizing the absorbent articles indicating the health condition, wherein the health condition can be wetness. The recording tool can also include, associated with each absorbent article, a fecal content graphical representation of whether the absorbent article includes fecal content, wherein the fecal content graphical representation is thematically related to the fecal content.