Abstract: An absorbent article including a temperature sensor, and at least one temperature change material arranged such that it is capable of affecting a temperature change due to a supply of excrement, and such that said temperature sensor is capable of being responsive to said affected temperature change. Also disclosed is a system for detecting a supply of excrement into an absorbent article, the system including an absorbent article being arranged to generate an output signal representative of the temperature, and a processing unit adapted to process an output signal generated by the temperature sensor. The processing unit is adapted to determine a change of temperature, wherein said change of temperature is affected by the temperature change material, and to detect a supply of excrement into the absorbent article based on the change of temperature.

Abstract: A wetness sensing system for use with an absorbent article includes a holding fixture adapted to be attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article by a consumer, the holding fixture including a first attachment arm having an article-facing side including a first attachment material affixed thereto, and a sensor band including a sensor and having an article-facing side including a second attachment material affixed thereto, wherein the second attachment material has an area and is in a proportion of the area to the weight of the system, and wherein the sensor band has a bending stiffness of less than 30 gf cm^2/cm. The system also includes a signaling device coupled to the holding fixture and in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the system is adapted to sense wetness within the article without the use of conductors within the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article to be worn by a wearer having a skin-contacting sheet such as a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core and a colored hydrophilic lotion, that not only helps to reduce the adherence of the menses or feces to the skin, thereby improving the ease of menses or bowl movement (BM) clean up, but that also may serve as a wetness indicator. The absorbent articles may be infant (baby) diapers, including training pants, adult incontinence articles and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation of a configured laminate of a non-woven material, to which a character strip is applied, the character strip exposed by either heat severing and removal of overlying materials, or intermittent application of overlying materials to leave the desired portions of the character strip exposed. A simultaneously formed core insert is applied to a preformed chassis web.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to disposable diapers having absorbent cores comprising superabsorbent polymer particles which are immobilized by adhesive. The absorbent cores are attached to the backsheets of the disposable diapers in certain attachment zones to reduce see-through and the formation of tension lines on the backsheets.

Abstract: A wetness sensor includes a substrate that carries a tuned RF circuit. The circuit includes a conductive pattern applied to the substrate, a capacitor, and a jumper all disposed on a same side of the substrate. The conductive pattern includes an inductive coil, and an inner and outer terminus. The jumper electrically couples the inner terminus to the outer terminus. The jumper also includes a frangible link which, when contacted by a target fluid, produces a drastic change in the operation of the RF circuit. The drastic change can be interpreted by a remote reader as a “wet” condition. Contact of the frangible link by the target fluid may change the impedance or resistance of the RF circuit by at least a factor of 5, 10, 100, or more, and/or may cause the frangible link to disintegrate to produce an open circuit, and/or may substantially render the RF circuit inoperative.

Abstract: A medical sensing device contained in a sheet or mattress pad. The sensing device comprises a number of sets of sensors, each equipped for detecting a characteristic of a patient proximate the device. The characteristic is sent to a processor which determines whether the characteristic is within a pre-determined parameter. If not, an alarm is sounded.

Abstract: Absorbent articles are disclosed that have been printed with active graphics alone or in combination with permanent graphics to create a wetness indicator. Different active graphic compositions and/or permanent graphic compositions are combined so as to make the wetness indicator very prominent on the article. In addition, when the absorbent article is wetted, the active graphics undergo a change that is easily noticed by the wearer or the caregiver for the wearer. In one embodiment, for instance, active graphics are positioned within a distinctive frame. The frame focuses a person's attention onto the active graphics. The active graphics fill most of the surface area of the frame such that when the absorbent article is wetted, a clearly noticeable change occurs.

Abstract: Provided is a paper diaper which is safe to a wearer thereof and also has additional values of, for example, developing a plurality of colors and providing a practical effect of instantaneously detecting that the wearer has urinated, or the like. In a paper diaper 11 including a back sheet 13 for covering an outer side of an absorption body 14 for absorbing urine, an indicator portion 15 containing a colorless color-developing agent formed of an electron-donating coloration compound is formed by application on a wide range of an inner surface of the back sheet 13, and a color development assisting agent 16 is provided on the indicator portion 15. The color development assisting agent 16 is dissolved in the urine to contact the indicator portion 15, thus to cause the indication portion 15 to develop a color.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an outer cover with an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface, an absorbent core positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover, and a wetness indicator graphic located on the outer cover. The wetness indicator graphic has a permanent graphic defining at least one non-printed area and a changing graphic located within the at least one non-printed area of the permanent graphic such that the permanent graphic and the changing graphic together give the appearance of a uniform graphic.

Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.

Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a backsheet, a wetness indicator composition, and an absorbent core. The wetness indicator composition may comprise a stabilizer, a colorant, and a matrix. The absorbent core may comprise a nonwoven layer and an absorbent polymer material, and optionally, a thermoplastic adhesive material. The wetness indicator composition may be in direct contact with an inner surface of the backsheet and an outer surface of the nonwoven layer. And, the absorbent polymer material, and optionally, the thermoplastic adhesive material, may be in direct contact with an inner surface of the nonwoven. Further, the absorbent core may be substantially cellulose free and may be oriented in at least one row.

Abstract: An absorbent article for menses absorption comprising an iron complexing agent, which is able to change the menses color.

Abstract: A sanitary or incontinence pad includes micro-perforated seams. On each side of the micro-perforated seam are sealed seams to retain the absorbent material within the pad. Tearing along the micro-perforated seam allows the pad to be separated into smaller functioning units to better meet the user's needs. Medical alert reagent tabs can be added to the surface of the pads to alert the user of possible health conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a diaper structure, which includes a diaper main body formed by a fabric layer, an anti-leak layer and an absorbent material layer sequentially from the inner side to outer side thereof, and a communication chip and a metal antenna attached to the outer surface of the anti-leak layer and connected with each other to form an RFID tag. Thus, when the absorbent material layer absorbs the urine passing through the fabric layer and the inner surface of the anti-leak layer is in contact with the urine on the surface of the absorbent material layer, the change in the relative permittivity of the anti-leak layer causes a change in the impedance value of the metal antenna and consequently a change in the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted by the RFID tag, thereby enabling rapid detection of a soaking wet condition of the diaper.

Abstract: A wetness sensor includes a substrate that carries a tuned RF circuit. The circuit includes a conductive pattern applied to the substrate, a capacitor, and a jumper all disposed on a same side of the substrate. The conductive pattern includes an inductive coil, and an inner and outer terminus. The jumper electrically couples the inner terminus to the outer terminus. The jumper also includes a frangible link which, when contacted by a target fluid, produces a drastic change in the operation of the RF circuit. The drastic change can be interpreted by a remote reader as a “wet” condition. Contact of the frangible link by the target fluid may change the impedance or resistance of the RF circuit by at least a factor of 5, 10, 100, or more, and/or may cause the frangible link to disintegrate to produce an open circuit, and/or may substantially render the RF circuit inoperative.

Abstract: A diaper having wetness detectors, a system thereof and a wetness detecting method are adapted to detect the excreting status of an animal. The diaper includes a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts which are constituted by conductive material. The first set of contacts and the second set of contacts are respectively disposed on proximal and distal area of the diaper corresponding to the excretory organ of the animal. A detecting circuit detects the electrical property of the first set of contacts and the second set of contacts and then determines the excretion status of the animal to be a reference for a caregiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a liquid management system (LMS) and an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate a topsheet and a backsheet. The LMS defines one or more channels therein. The one or more channels of the LMS may at least partially overlap or not overlap with channels defined in the absorbent core.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial dressing, an anti-microbial composition and use thereof. The dressing comprises: chlorhexidine and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a solid state in a quantity, calculated as an equivalent weight of chlorhexidine digluconate/surface of dressing, comprised between 0.013 and 2 g/m2; and silver and/or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt in the solid state in a quantity, calculated as an equivalent weight of metallic silver/surface of dressing of greater than or equal to 0.1 g/m2. The composition comprises: chlorhexidine and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a solid state in a relative weight/weight percentage, calculated as an equivalent weight of chlorhexidine digluconate/total weight of the composition, comprised between 0.01% and 0.09%; and silver and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the solid state in a relative percentage weight/weight comprised between 0.00008% and 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture detecting module for monitoring a moisture state of a napkin. The module comprises a moisture sensitive sensor and a moisture non-permeable layer covering the sensor. The moisture non-permeable layer is arranged for attachment to a napkin surface that, during use of the napkin by a person, is facing towards the person's skin such that the moisture sensitive sensor contacts the napkin surface. The moisture detection module is a RLC circuit that acts as a RF-tag thereby transmitting moisture information to a remote reading device.

Abstract: A wetness indicating polymeric film and method of making the film is provided. The method includes feeding a polymer film into a flexographic printing apparatus; printing at least one wetness indicator ink onto a first side of the perforated polymer; and perforating the polymer film by forming a plurality of apertures or enlarged micropores that extend from the first side to the second side. The apertures or enlarged micropores permit a sufficient quantity of an aqueous liquid to pass from the second side through the perforated polymer film to the first side. Upon contact, the aqueous liquid reacts with the wetness indicator ink to cause a color change visible by an unaided human eye. In an absorbent article including the inventive film as a backsheet, the total amount of liquid that passes through the backsheet is negligible and the barrier properties of the backsheet as a whole are not compromised.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first location of a first portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. At the first location, the first portion has a first overall width. The absorbent article also comprises a second location of a second portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. The second location is outboard from the first location. The second location has a second overall width that is wider than the first overall width.

Abstract: A liquid leakage detection system requiring no power supply from an outer source and configured to be relatively simple and moderate in price. A liquid leakage detection system (10) including an infusion tube (11), a syringe needle (12) coupled to the infusion tube (11), an absorbent element (16) adapted to be placed in the vicinity of a point (12a) of the syringe needle (12) to be pricked through a patient skin and a sensor unit (14) located on an upper side or within the absorbent element (16).

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent core, a garment-facing surface, a body-facing surface, a first graphic visible at the body-facing surface, and a top component affixed to the article body and including an attached region and a cantilevered region, wherein the cantilevered region includes a translucent portion through which the first graphic is at least partially visible. The translucent portion can include a second graphic, wherein the first graphic and the second graphic combine to form the appearance of a third graphic. The article can also include a baffle forming at least part of the garment-facing surface, wherein the baffle includes a baffle graphic, and wherein at least a portion of the article body is translucent such that the baffle graphic is visible at the body-facing surface such that the first graphic and the baffle graphic combine to form the appearance of a fourth graphic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles. The disposable absorbent articles include: (a) a body contacting surface; (b) a garment contacting surface opposite the body contacting surface; and (c) an inkjet printed wetness indicator which is seen through either the body contacting surface or the garment contacting surface. The wetness indicator includes a central graphic and a background graphic, the central graphic having at least one permanent ink composition and the background graphic having at least one water soluble ink composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound dressing comprising: —an application surface for application to a wound; —an absorbent structure for absorbing a liquid discharged from the wound; —an intermediate structure located between the application surface and the absorbent structure and arranged to promote the distribution of the liquid from the application surface to one or a plurality of inlet zones having a limited area in the absorbent structure; and —a detection system sensitive to the extent of the absorbent structure that is wetted by the liquid having penetrated same via the inlet zone or zones.

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: The invention relates to a multiple layer material that includes a film layer, a moisture-reacting composition layer and an adhesive layer. The film layer has at least one printed surface. The moisture-reacting composition layer is adjacent the printed surface of the film layer. A portion of the moisture-reacting composition layer forms a framing device. The adhesive layer is adjacent the portion of the moisture-reacting composition layer forming the framing device. The multiple layer material of the invention may be used to form a component of an absorbent article having active graphics that change in appearance in response to moisture.

Abstract: An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a backsheet, a wetness indicator composition, and an absorbent core. The wetness indicator composition may comprise a stabilizer, a colorant, and a matrix. The absorbent core may comprise a nonwoven layer and a complex of absorbent polymer material and thermoplastic adhesive material. The wetness indicator composition may be in direct contact with an inner surface of the backsheet and an outer surface of the nonwoven layer. And, the complex of absorbent polymer material and thermoplastic adhesive material may be in direct contact with an inner surface of the nonwoven. Further, the absorbent core may be cellulose free.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to disposable diapers having absorbent cores comprising superabsorbent polymer particles which are immobilized by adhesive. The absorbent cores are attached to the backsheets of the disposable diapers in certain attachment zones to reduce see-through and the formation of tension lines on the backsheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid-absorbent article, comprising an indicator for feces especially of newborn and breast-feeded babies, which is applied to a carrier material and to an indicator for feces especially of newborn and breast-feeded babies and substances present in urine indicating kidney or vascular diseases, suitable for fluid-absorbent articles such as diapers, comprising at least one indicator-substance which changes color as a result of contact with proteins.

Abstract: An ionic fluid detection system for absorbent articles has a radiofrequency receiver operable to receive a first radiofrequency signal, a radiofrequency emitter connected to the receiver and operable to emit a second radiofrequency signal, the emitter being responsive to the receiver to emit a second radiofrequency signal when the receiver receives the first radiofrequency signal, the responsiveness of the emitter being enabled when the sensor is in a first wetness condition selected from the group of conditions including “wet” and “dry” and being disabled when in the other wetness condition. The second radiofrequency signal may have a different frequency and wavelength than the first radiofrequency signal. The radiofrequency receiver may be electrically connected to the radiofrequency emitter by a diode to form a resonant antennae pair. There may be a ground plane and a nonconductive, ionic fluid wicking material connected to the ground plane and the receiver and/or the emitter.

Abstract: A moisture sensor unit for sending moisture in an environment includes a passive moisture sensor and two passive RFID tags. The two passive RFID tags are spaced apart from each other and disposed on opposite sides of the moisture sensor. Each of the RFID tags is electrically coupled to the moisture sensor and each of the RFID tags includes a circuit that determines an amount of moisture that is associated with the moisture sensor. Each of the RFID tags is configured to respond to a first radio frequency signal with a second radio frequency signal that includes information about the amount of moisture.

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 including a temperature sensor, and at least one temperature change material arranged such that it is capable of affecting a temperature change due to a supply of excrement, and such that said temperature sensor is capable of being responsive to said affected temperature change. Also disclosed is a system for detecting a supply of excrement into an absorbent article, the system including an absorbent article being arranged to generate an output signal representative of the temperature, and a processing unit adapted to process an output signal generated by the temperature sensor. The processing unit is adapted to determine a change of temperature, wherein said change of temperature is affected by the temperature change material, and to detect a supply of excrement into the absorbent article based on the change of temperature.

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: An absorbent article includes a chassis including a bodyside liner, an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover, the chassis including an insult zone and a crotch region positioned in between a front region and a back region, the front region and the back region defining a waist region therebetween. The absorbent article also includes a sensor element disposed in or on the chassis, the sensor element extending from a proximal end in the waist region to at least the insult zone and in fluid communication with the insult zone, the sensor element including a multi-layer wicking material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sensing fluid in a dressing on a patient and producing an electrical signal. In one instance, a galvanic cell is used as an electronic detection device. The galvanic cell is placed in the dressing and produces voltage when the dressing is substantially saturated. In one instance, the dressing is a reduced-pressure, absorbent dressing. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented.

Abstract: The diaper monitor has a sensor housing that can be slipped into a pocket formed in a diaper at the time of use and secured in place by a pivotal clip. The housing has a pair of conductive strips for sensing wetting of a diaper and a responsive wireless transmitter to emit a responsive signal. The clip may also complete a circuit in the wireless transmitter when moved into the closed position.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a first location of a first portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. At the first location, the first portion has a first overall width. The absorbent article also comprises a second location of a second portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. The second location is outboard from the first location. The second location has a second overall width that is wider than the first overall width.

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: An improved absorbent hygiene article, such as a tampon, has a detachably connected saturation indicator. The saturation indicator is calibrated, and preferably indicates the degree of saturation of the corresponding article by staining or swelling. One may check saturation of the hygiene article through various means including visual or tactile inspection of the indicator after it has been pulled out of the article. In this manner it is possible, without having to remove the article, to determine whether or not it is advisable to change the article. In one embodiment, the saturation indicator is detachably connected to the underlying article by an adhesive that releases when it becomes moist. In this manner the inability to easily remove the indicator is, in itself, an indication of lack of saturation beyond a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A disposable wearable absorbent article including a gender specific visual wetness indicating area.

Abstract: A signal layer for an absorbent article provided to absorb menstrual fluid includes a pattern of capillary channels allowing capillary action such that discharged menstrual fluid that comes across one of the openings in the capillary channels enters into the capillary channels and is retained therein due to the capillary force. The color of the retained menstrual discharge dyes or colors the pattern for signaling purpose, and the pattern is directly or indirectly visible to an observer.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a disposable absorbent article that can generate a large temperature change on a surface thereof. [Means for Solving Problems] A disposable absorbent article comprising, at an area including a crotch portion, an absorbent portion which has a liquid pervious face sheet (30), a liquid impervious sheet (11) and an absorbent structure (50) that is interposed therebetween is configured that on a surface of an absorbent body (56) having a high absorbent polymer at least in a face side layer thereof, a temperature changing substance (40) for cooling or heating urine by contact with the urine is sprinkled and that the urine, which has been cooled or heated by the temperature changing substance (40), can be absorbed and retained in the face side layer of the absorbent body (56).

Abstract: A sensor device for sensing wetness in an absorbent article worn by a subject includes one or more sensing elements; and a coupling for communicating sensor signals between the one or more sensing elements and a receiver. A change in environmental parameter causes a change in electrical behaviour of at least one of the sensing elements, which behaviour can be analysed to determine occurrence of a wetness event in the absorbent article. The changes in electrical behaviour are communicated in the sensor signals to the receiver. The analysis may be by the receiver or a processor in communication with the receiver. Ideally, the sensing elements include capacitive elements and preferably, resonance circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles. The disposable absorbent articles include: (a) a body contacting surface; (b) a garment contacting surface opposite the body contacting surface; and (c) an inkjet printed wetness indicator which is seen through either the body contacting surface or the garment contacting surface. The wetness indicator includes a central graphic and a background graphic, the central graphic having at least one permanent ink composition and the background graphic having at least one water soluble ink composition.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent undergarment is disclosed. It includes an absorbent assembly comprising a core formed of a synthetic tow or of synthetic nonwoven layers and having first section comprising a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP and a second section comprising a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP, all of which is wrapped in a wrapper to hold the SAP in place. The absorbent assembly may be quilted and corrugated. The undergarment also includes releasably securable fasteners to enable it to be readily removed and a suspension system to ensure that the garment fits properly and doesn't leak even when holding a large amount of exudate. Odor removal/masking and treatment features may be provided. It addition the undergarment may include a wetness indicator.

Abstract: An absorbent article with a primary visual fullness indicator and a secondary visual wetness indicator.