Abstract: Disclosed is an insult-sensing absorbent article including an absorbent assembly, an insult-sensing means coupled to the absorbent assembly, and a tuned antenna system coupled to the insult-sensing means. Also disclosed is a method for indicating an insult to an absorbent article to be worn by a wearer, the method including providing an absorbent article including a conductive element; providing an antenna system associated with the absorbent article, the antenna system including a signal generator and an antenna, wherein the antenna includes the conductive element, and wherein the antenna system is adapted to transmit a signal; and maximizing the receivability of the signal by optimizing an aspect of the antenna system.

Abstract: A portable UV detection apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device integrated with a skin type measuring device. A controller can be included in the apparatus that is in communication with the skin type measuring device and the UV detection device. The controller can provide information to the user regarding the amount of ultraviolet radiation present in the environment. In an alternative embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device in conjunction with a light sensor. The light sensor can be configured to activate the UV detection device should light at a particular intensity be present in the environment. The UV detection device as described above can be configured to measure UVA radiation, UVB radiation, and/or UVC radiation.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liner and an outercover in facing relation and at least one conductive element located between the liner and the outercover. At least a portion of the conductive element is exposed through the liner and/or the outercover to define at least one external contact point. The external contact point defines a perimeter and the liner and/or the outercover is sealed about the perimeter. The contact points provide external access to the internal conductive elements.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a first electrically-conductive circuit-path (22), and separately providing a second electrically-conductive circuit-path (24). A portion of the first circuit-path is positioned proximally adjacent a portion of the second circuit-path at a first predetermined electrical bond location (26). A first, electrically-insulating barrier layer (28) is interposed between the first circuit-path and second circuit-path at the first bond location, and the first circuit-path is mechanically bonded to the second circuit-path at the first bond location. The mechanical bonding configured to provide an electrically-conductive bond-path between the first circuit-path and the second circuit-path at the first bond location. The mechanical bonding may desirably include ultrasonic bonding and/or pressure bonding.

Abstract: A limited use, disposable article (20), comprises a matrix-substrate (22), and an electrically-conductive region (24) of a separately provided, electrically-conductive material that has been operatively applied to the matrix-substrate from a viscous configuration of the electrically-conductive material. The matrix-substrate includes a first matrix-region (26), and at least a second matrix-region (28). At least the second matrix-region (28) can include a treatment that provides for an operative formation of a selected resistivity in the electrically-conductive region. The first matrix-region (26) has a high resistivity, and the electrically-conductive region (24) is positioned operatively adjacent the second matrix-region (28). The electrically-conductive region (24) has a low resistivity, as determined when the electrically-conductive region is positioned operatively adjacent the second matrix-region and configured for its intended use.

Abstract: An article includes a first electrically-conductive circuit-path and a second electrically-conductive circuit-path. A portion of the first circuit-path is positioned proximally adjacent a portion of the second circuit-path at a first predetermined hole location. A first electrically-insulating barrier layer is interposed between the first circuit-path and second circuit-path at the first hole location, and the first circuit-path is conductively connected to the second circuit-path at the first hole location by filling the hole with a conductive filler. The conductive filler is configured such that the first circuit-path is conductively connected to the second circuit-path at the first predetermined hole location to form an interconnecting conductive filler-path between the first circuit-path and the second circuit-path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for determining hydration of an article and/or a person. The physical and/or electrical properties of a device in the absorbent article may be altered by hydration received in the absorbent article. The alteration of the physical or electrical properties may indicate the amount of hydration in the absorbent article. Furthermore, a time period for receiving the hydration in the absorbent article may also be determined. The hydration of the person may be determined based on a fluid output rate from the person computed using the amount of hydration output from the person and the time period for receiving the hydration.