Abstract: A multi-layered device for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte within a test sample is described. The device includes a sensing layer and a control layer. The sensing layer is configured to support a reaction so as to exhibit a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the test sample. The control layer is in fluid communication with and vertically adjacent to the sensing layer and includes a reagent capable of inhibiting the reaction and/or other unwanted side reactions at the sensing layer after a certain period of time by diffusive movement of the reagent from the control layer to the sensing layer.

Abstract: A multi-layered device for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte within a test sample is described. The device includes a sensing layer and a control layer. The sensing layer is configured to support a reaction so as to exhibit a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the test sample. The control layer is in fluid communication with and vertically adjacent to the sensing layer and includes a reagent capable of inhibiting the reaction and/or other unwanted side reactions at the sensing layer after a certain period of time by diffusive movement of the reagent from the control layer to the sensing layer.

Abstract: A triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical includes a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active, the encapsulation material triggerable to release the trigonelline ester upon the occurrence of an environmental stimulus. In other aspects, a viscous liquid or an absorbent article includes a triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical, the composition including a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active.

Abstract: A triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical includes an aldehyde-based functional active incorporated in an organic salt-based acetal that releases the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the organic salt-based acetal, the encapsulation material triggerable to release or expose the organic salt-based acetal upon the occurrence of an environmental stimulus such as a pH change. The triggerable composition can be included in an absorbent article having at least one absorbent layer or in a viscous liquid such as a lotion, cream, or medicament.

Abstract: A multi-layered device for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte within a test sample is described. The device includes a sensing layer and a control layer. The sensing layer is configured to support a reaction so as to exhibit a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte in the test sample. The control layer is in fluid communication with and vertically adjacent to the sensing layer and includes a reagent capable of inhibiting the reaction and/or other unwanted side reactions at the sensing layer after a certain period of time by diffusive movement of the reagent from the control layer to the sensing layer.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article (e.g., feminine care pad, sanitary napkin, tampon, etc.) is provided that employs a synergistic combination of an antimicrobial composition for inhibiting thegrowth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, etc.) and a pH sensor for signaling to the user when the antimicrobial composition is no longer operating at its full capacity. In this manner, the user can initially wear the article without fear of infection. After a certain period of time, the user can visually inspect the color of the pH sensor to obtain an indication of whether the antimicrobial composition is still active and effective in inhibiting microorganism growth, or whether it is time to replace or remove the article.

Abstract: A dryness indicator includes a wicking strip continuous between a reservoir end and an opposed open end; a liquid-impermeable top layer disposed on one side of the wicking strip; and a liquid-impermeable bottom layer disposed on the opposite side of the wicking strip, wherein the top layer is affixed to the bottom layer to at least partially enclose the wicking strip, and wherein the indicator is configured such that the open end of the wicking strip can be placed in liquid communication with an object or surface. The dryness indicator also includes a reservoir including an oil-based colorant with the potential to be in liquid communication with the reservoir end of the wicking strip, wherein the wicking strip is configured such that colorant wicking from the reservoir end and an unreacted water-based fluid wicking from the open end meet to define a timing line.

Abstract: A triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical includes a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active, the encapsulation material triggerable to release the trigonelline ester upon the occurrence of an environmental stimulus. In other aspects, a viscous liquid or an absorbent article includes a triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical, the composition including a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active.

Abstract: A lateral flow device for testing a bodily fluid, such as urine, blood, mucous, saliva, etc., is provided. The lateral flow device is configured to be attached to an absorbent article via an attachment mechanism located on the lateral flow device or the absorbent article. The lateral flow device includes a chromatographic medium (e.g., porous membrane) that defines a detection zone that provides a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte. The device may also include a control zone that provides a signal indicative of whether a sufficient amount of bodily fluid has been provided and tested. Regardless of its specific configuration, the lateral flow device is configured to be attached onto the absorbent article to provide a user or caregiver with rapid information about a health condition. For example, the device may be attached onto a diaper to provide information about the presence of enzymes or other compounds often encountered with a patient having a urinary tract infection.

Abstract: A dehydration sensor having a stable, printable, buffered-ink composition that enables one to miniaturize the detection zone and permits both buffer and indicator dye to be applied in the same area of a detection zone, without need for a conventional, large buffer pad region.

Abstract: A diagnostic test kit that employs a lateral flow assay device and a plurality of assay reagents for detecting a test analyte within a test sample is disclosed. The assay reagents include detection probes that are capable of producing a detection signal representing the presence or quantity of the test analyte in the test sample. To further enhance detection accuracy, calibration probes are also used that are capable of producing a calibration signal representing the presence or quantity of a calibration analyte. The calibration signal may be utilized to calibrate the detection signal.

Abstract: A wetness indicator material may be used on a substrate to form a wetness sensor. The sensor may show either the presence or absence of an aqueous-based fluid or water-containing medium, such as vaginal fluid or urine in a personal hygiene article. The wetness sensor may be incorporated into the article. The wetness indicator material includes a standard colorant that does not change color when wetted. The standard colorant increases the range of hues exhibited by the wetness indicator material.

Abstract: A color-appearing ink composition includes a surfactant blend of at least two non-ionic surfactants having hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values greater than 10, or a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value greater than 10 and a charged surfactant. The composition includes one or more water-insoluble leuco dyes, a developer and a desensitizer. The composition may be applied to a substrate to form a sensor.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for quantitatively or semi-quantitatively determining the volume of a test sample of urine is provided. The method includes contacting the test sample with a fluidic medium of a lateral flow device having a volume indicator disposed thereon and determining the volume of urine in the test sample based on the distance traveled by the volume indicator along the fluidic medium, the distance traveled by the volume indicator corresponding to the volume of urine in the test sample.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer and one absorbent core layer. The topsheet layer, absorbent core layer and backsheet layer each include a longitudinally directed side peripheral edge. The absorbent article further includes an aqueous medium-sensitive coating composition for triggered release of active ingredients from the absorbent article. The aqueous medium-sensitive coating composition is affixed to the absorbent article adjacent a longitudinally directed side peripheral edge. The coating composition includes a betaine ester or betaine ester derivative having a functional active group derived from a fragrance with a hydroxyl group, a color changing visual indicator chemistry, where the visual indicator chemistry is selected from at least one of the group of a pH indicator dye and pH adjuster, a thermochromic dye and a polarity-sensitive dye.

Abstract: A wetness sensor for an absorbent article that is formed from an ink is provided. The ink includes a proton-accepting chromogen and a proton-donating agent (or color developer). Prior to use, the ink is generally dry and in a protonated form so that it has a visible color. However, upon contact with bodily fluids (e.g., urine, fecal matter, mucus, menses, vaginal fluid, etc.), water in the fluid can lead to deprotonation of the chromogen, thereby resulting in a shift of the absorption maxima of the chromogen towards either the red (“bathochromic shift”) or blue end of the spectrum (“hypsochromic shift”). To increase the rate of the color change during use, the proton-donating agent is an aliphatic carboxylic acid that is highly soluble in the bodily fluid (e.g., urine), and therefore results in a color change that is very rapid and may be detected within a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A color-appearing ink composition includes a surfactant blend of at least two non-ionic surfactants having hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values greater than 10, or a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value greater than 10 and a charged surfactant. The composition includes one or more water-insoluble leuco dyes, a developer and a desensitizer. The composition may be applied to a substrate to form a sensor.

Abstract: Color-change compositions for detecting urine and feces volatiles include the following pH indicator dyes: m-Cresol Purple, Basic Fuchsin, Brilliant Blue G, Brilliant Blue R, Cresol Red and Thymol Blue. The compositions may be applied to various substrates. Such substrates may be used in the construction of a personal care absorbent article such as a diaper, training pant or incontinence garment.

Abstract: The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products.

Abstract: The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least four major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an electron-withdrawing color-developer agent or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, (3) a separator or combination of separators that when present in sufficient amounts, can prevent the formation of the colored complexes between the color-developer and leuco dyes, all contained within (4) an encapsulation matrix that includes at least one film-forming and one aqueous-insoluble polymer. All of the foregoing components are dissolved together in a volatile organic solvent medium to form a homogeneous solution that can be applied as an ink on substrates, which can be incorporated as part of absorbent articles or personal care products.