Sensor systems for absorbent articles comprising sensor gates

• US 10,492,148 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2019
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: LaVon, Gary Dean, Striemer, Grant Edward Anders, Joyce, Jonathan Livingston
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Adnan, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US16/360,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20190223110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15772 Control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49 Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/22 taking into account previous information or commands

Abstract

A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article. The system may comprise a first sensor and a first transmitter. The sensor may be disposed in or on the absorbent article. The sensor may have a first status and may be capable of changing to a second status. The first transmitter may be capable of sensing a change in status of the sensor from the first status to the second status. The first transmitter may be capable of checking the status of the sensor noncontinuously. The first transmitter may programmed to check the status of the first sensor at least every 5 minutes but not longer than every 2 hours.

Claims

1. A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising:

an absorbent article comprising a front region, a back region, and a crotch region, a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis;

a first sensor disposed within the front region on one side of the transverse axis;

a second sensor disposed within the back region on an opposite side of the transverse axis; and

a transmitter;

wherein the first sensor has a first status and is capable of changing to a second status;

wherein the second sensor has a third status and is capable of changing to a fourth status;

wherein at least one of the first and second sensors are capable of sensing a color change through the garment-facing, exterior surface of the absorbent article; and

wherein the transmitter is capable of operating at a first power level during an assessment operation, in which the transmitter assesses the state of the first sensor and/or second sensor intermittently, and a second power level, higher than the first power level, during a transmission operation, in which the transmitter signals a remote device.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 10 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 5 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 2 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 500 μ

W/cm² per hour.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 50 μ

W/cm² per hour.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 20 μ

W/cm² per hour.

8. A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising:

an absorbent article comprising a front region, a back region, and a crotch region, a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis;

a first sensor disposed within the front region on one side of the transverse axis;

a second sensor disposed within the back region on an opposite side of the transverse axis; and

a transmitter;

wherein the first sensor has a first status and is capable of changing to a second status;

wherein the second sensor has a third status and is capable of changing to a fourth status;

wherein at least one of the first and second sensors are capable of sensing a color change through the garment-facing, exterior surface of the absorbent article; and

wherein the transmitter comprises a monitoring function, using a first power level, in which the transmitter assesses the state of the first sensor and/or second sensor intermittently and a transmission function, using a second power level higher than the first power level, in which the transmitter signals a remote device.

9. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 10 seconds when signaling to a remote device.

10. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 5 seconds when signaling to a remote device.

11. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 2 seconds when signaling to a remote device.

12. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 500 μ

W/cm² per hour.

13. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 50 μ

W/cm² per hour.

14. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 20 μ

W/cm² per hour.

15. A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising:

an absorbent article comprising a front region, a back region, and a crotch region, a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis;

a first sensor disposed within the front region on one side of the transverse axis;

a second sensor disposed within the back region on an opposite side of the transverse axis; and

a transmitter;

wherein the first sensor has a first status and is capable of changing to a second status;

wherein the second sensor has a third status and is capable of changing to a fourth status;

wherein at least one of the first and second sensors are capable of sensing a color change through the garment-facing, exterior surface of the absorbent article; and

wherein the transmitter comprises a monitoring function, using a first power level, in which the transmitter assesses the state of the first sensor and/or second sensor intermittently and a transmission function, using a second power level higher than the first power level, in which the transmitter signals a remote device;

wherein the transmitter does not transmit a signal to the remote device in the event of the first sensor changing to the second status until status of the second sensor is checked.

16. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 10 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

17. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 5 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

18. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter emits for less than 2 seconds when signaling to the remote device.

19. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 50 μ

W/cm² per hour.

20. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter emits an average of less than 20 μ

W/cm² per hour.