SENSOR SYSTEMS FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES COMPRISING SENSOR GATES

• US 20150042489A1
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Published: 02/12/2015
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,292,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.11
• 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 and back, the absorbent article further comprising a first sensor and a second sensor;

a first transmitter;

wherein the first and second sensors are disposed in or on the absorbent article;

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

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

wherein the first transmitter is capable of sensing a change in status of the first sensor from the first status to the second status;

wherein the first transmitter is capable of sensing a change in status of the second sensor from the third status to a the fourth status;

wherein the first transmitter is programmed to send a signal to check the status of the first sensor noncontinuously; and

wherein the first transmitter is programmed to send a signal to check the status of the second sensor only once the first sensor has the second status.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises a second transmitter.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the first transmitter is capable of sending a signal to a remote device that comprises the second transmitter.

4. The sensor system of claim 3, wherein the first transmitter is programmed to send the signal to the remote device after the first sensor has the second status.

5. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter is programmed to send the signal to the remote device after the second sensor has the fourth status.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is capable of being manually overridden by the user with a mobile application interface either from an application opening or by manually pressing a button on an application GUI to check a current status of the first and/or second sensors.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is disposed in the front.

8. The sensor system of claim 5, wherein the second sensor is disposed in the front, laterally inboard of the first sensor.

9. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the second sensor is disposed in the back.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth status occur due to the same stimulus.

11. The sensor system of claim 3, wherein the second and fourth status occur due to different stimuli.

12. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is vapor.

13. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is temperature.

14. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is mechanical.

15. The sensor system of claim 14, where in the mechanical stimulus is selected from one or a combination of strain, stress, and mechanical failure.

16. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is pH.

17. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is a biological element.

18. The sensor system of claim 17, wherein the biological element is blood, biomarkers, and proteins.

19. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is a chemical.

20. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the chemical/analyte is selected from one or a combination of ammonia, urea, chloride, sodium, potassium, sugar, and creatinine.