ABSORBENT ARTICLES HAVING A WETNESS INDICATOR
First Claim
1. An absorbent article configured to alert a wearer of a liquid insult, the absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid-permeable layer;
a liquid-impermeable layer;
an absorbent core positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer; and
a compressed wetness indicator positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, wherein the compressed wetness indicator defines a x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, wherein the compressed wetness indicator comprises a compression molded web and is configured to expand in the z-direction upon contact with a liquid without substantially expanding in either the x-direction or the y-direction.
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Accused Products
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.
195 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An absorbent article configured to alert a wearer of a liquid insult, the absorbent article comprising:
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a liquid-permeable layer; a liquid-impermeable layer; an absorbent core positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer; and a compressed wetness indicator positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, wherein the compressed wetness indicator defines a x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, wherein the compressed wetness indicator comprises a compression molded web and is configured to expand in the z-direction upon contact with a liquid without substantially expanding in either the x-direction or the y-direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An absorbent article configured to alert a wearer of a liquid insult, the absorbent article comprising:
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a liquid-permeable layer; a liquid-impermeable layer; an absorbent core positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer; a compressed wetness indicator positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, wherein the compressed wetness indicator defines an original length in an x-direction and an y-direction, and an original height in a z-direction, wherein the compressed wetness indicator comprises a compression molded web and has an expansion ratio of greater than about 2;
1.1; anda physiological cooling agent applied to the compressed wetness indicator, wherein the physiological cooling agent is configured to provide a cooling sensation upon contact with the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of alerting a wearer of an absorbent article that an insult of the absorbent article has occurred, the method comprising
placing the absorbent article in contact with the wearer, wherein the absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable layer, a liquid-impermeable layer, an absorbent core positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, and a compressed wetness indicator positioned between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer, wherein the compressed wetness indicator defines an original length in an x-direction and an y-direction, and an original height in a z-direction, wherein the compressed wetness indicator comprises a compression molded web; wetting the compressed wetness indicator in the absorbent article with a bodily fluid, wherein upon wetting, the compressed wetness indicator expands 1-dimensionally in a direction toward the wearer, wherein the compressed wetness indicator expands according to an expansion ratio of greater than about 2;
1.1.- View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification