Conductor-Less Detection System For An Absorbent Article

• US 20100168702A1
• Filed: 12/29/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Ales, Thomas Michael III, Long, Andrew Mark, Gakhar, Sudhanshu
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6808 Diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8482 including numeric control, e.g. using computer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/223 for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825

Abstract

Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one aspect, for instance, a signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. The signaling device can include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article.

Claims

1. A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising:

a housing; and

a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to the absorbent article.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor includes an open face virtual capacitor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is flexible.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a visual notification.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide an audio notification.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a wireless notification.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a vibratory notification.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only once no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about five minutes.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only once no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about 20 minutes.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to sense a change in capacitance by measuring the time taken to discharge a capacitor.

14. The device of claim 1, the capacitive sensor including an inductance-capacitance circuit, wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to sense a change in capacitance by measuring changes in the resonant frequency of the inductance-capacitance circuit.

15. A body exudate collection and detection system comprising:

an absorbent article; and

a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor including an open face virtual capacitor.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the signaling device to the absorbent article.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article.

19. A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising:

a housing;

an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article; and

a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor including an open face virtual capacitor,

wherein the signaling device is adapted to emit a signal when a change in a condition within the absorbent structure is sensed by the capacitive sensor.

20. The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of settings that are selected by the user depending upon at least one specification of the absorbent article.

21. The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to differentiate between a first insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid from a second insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid.

22. The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to discern a steady state environment within the absorbent article after the article is donned before being configured to emit a signal by the signaling device.