Moisture indicator
First Claim
1. A disposable diaper including a moisture indicating system, said diaper including inner absorbent layers and an outer translucent moisture-impermeable layer, comprising:
- a chromogen capable of producing a visible pigment upon entering into a specific chemical reaction;
enzyme means for effecting said specific chemical reaction with the chromogen when a substrate material in solution is present;
the substrate material, in dry form;
absorbent carrying medium supporting the chromogen, the enzyme means and the dry substrate material;
the absorbent carrying medium being in disc-like form and positioned just underneath the translucent, moisture-impermeable layer and against the outermost absorbent layer, with means for attaching the disc-like moisture indicating system to at least one of the adjacent layers,whereby, in the presence of moisture the dry substrate becomes dissolved, causing the enzyme means to effect the specific chemical reaction, thereby yielding a pigment from the chromogen which is visible through the outer translucent layer.
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Abstract
A moisture indicator employs an enzymatic reaction, a substrate and a chromogen for use in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, surgical dressings, absorbent pads, garments, and like articles, or for use in any instance where moisture is to be detected. The moisture indicator, which is mounted, applied to, or built into the garment, diaper, pad or other article, is comprised of a chromogenic material, enzymes, such as those commonly used to test for carbohydrates in urine or other fluids, and a substrate material which will react with the selected enzyme or enzymes in the presence of moisture. The enzyme system or systems and the indicator agent or agents can be applied together to filter paper, wood strips, plastic fibrous materials, non-woven fabrics, or any absorbent materials for the purpose of subsequently verifying visually the presence of moisture.
146 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A disposable diaper including a moisture indicating system, said diaper including inner absorbent layers and an outer translucent moisture-impermeable layer, comprising:
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a chromogen capable of producing a visible pigment upon entering into a specific chemical reaction; enzyme means for effecting said specific chemical reaction with the chromogen when a substrate material in solution is present; the substrate material, in dry form; absorbent carrying medium supporting the chromogen, the enzyme means and the dry substrate material; the absorbent carrying medium being in disc-like form and positioned just underneath the translucent, moisture-impermeable layer and against the outermost absorbent layer, with means for attaching the disc-like moisture indicating system to at least one of the adjacent layers, whereby, in the presence of moisture the dry substrate becomes dissolved, causing the enzyme means to effect the specific chemical reaction, thereby yielding a pigment from the chromogen which is visible through the outer translucent layer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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2. A disposable diaper including a moisture indicating system, said diaper including inner absorbent layers and an outer translucent moisture-impermeable layer, comprising:
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a chromogen capable of producing a visible pigment upon entering into a specific chemical reaction; enzyme means for effecting said specific chemical reaction with the chromogen when a substrate material in solution is present; the substrate material, in dry form; absorbent carrying medium, comprising an absorbent layer of the diaper, supporting the chromogen, the enzyme means and the dry substrate material, with the chromogen, enzyme means and substrate material applied in a discrete area directly to the abosrbent layer; whereby, in the presence of moisture the dry substrate becomes dissolved, causing the enzyme means to effect the specific chemical reaction, thereby yielding a pigment from the chromogen which is visible through the outer translucent layer.
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3. An absorbent surgical dressing including a moisture indicating system, comprising:
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a chromogen capable of producing a visible pigment upon entering into a specific chemical reaction; enzyme means for effecting said specific chemical reaction with the chromogen when a substrate material in solution is present; the substrate material, in dry form; absorbent carrying medium supporting the chromogen, the enzyme means and the dry substrate material; and means for securing the moisture indicating system to the surgical dressing; whereby, in the presence of moisture the dry substrate becomes dissolved, causing the enzyme means to effect the specific chemical reaction, thereby yielding a visible pigment from the chromogen. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification