Wetness indicator
First Claim
1. An article configured to be worn in intimate contact with a living being near a source of aqueous excretions from the being comprising:
- an absorbent layer comprising a water absorbent material in liquid communication with the source; and
a hydratable salt comprising a transition metal radical, the salt being in liquid communication with the absorbent layer, the salt being characterized by a first color in an unhydrated physical state and the salt being responsive to liquid phase water present in the aqueous excretion absorbed into the absorbent layer for transitioning from the unhydrated physical state to a hydrated physical state characterized by a second color, the salt being present in a concentration sufficient to produce a humanly perceptible color change, the color change occurring independent of the salinity of the excretion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wetness indicator used on absorbent pads such as diapers for visually signalling the presence of water. The wetness indicator preferably comprises a hydratable salt mixture applied to a water permeable membrane and visible from an external observation of the absrobent pad. The hydratable salt has the characteristic of changing from the color it exhibits in its normal, anhydrous state to a contrasting color when it becomes hydrated. The wetness indicator is physically disposed within the pad so that it contacts water as it reaches the absorbent layers of the pad. The wetness indicator is constructed so that the hydratable salt mixture does not leach back into the absorbent layer or into contact with the wearer of the pad. The hydratable salt may be arranged to combine with a binder upon hydration to reduct toxicity.
149 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An article configured to be worn in intimate contact with a living being near a source of aqueous excretions from the being comprising:
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an absorbent layer comprising a water absorbent material in liquid communication with the source; and a hydratable salt comprising a transition metal radical, the salt being in liquid communication with the absorbent layer, the salt being characterized by a first color in an unhydrated physical state and the salt being responsive to liquid phase water present in the aqueous excretion absorbed into the absorbent layer for transitioning from the unhydrated physical state to a hydrated physical state characterized by a second color, the salt being present in a concentration sufficient to produce a humanly perceptible color change, the color change occurring independent of the salinity of the excretion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A liquid phase water indicating disposable diaper for collecting and absorbing moisture, comprising:
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an absorbent layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a liner layer adherently disposed along said outer surface of said absorbent layer; and a wetness indicator disposed in the crotch region of said diaper, said wetness indicator interposed between said absorbent layer and said liner layer so as to be visible through said liner layer, said wetness indicator in fluid communication with said absorbent layer, said wetness indicator comprising; a hydratable salt present in an amount sufficient to exhibit a first color when in an anhydrous condition and a second color when in a hydrated condition, said hydratable salt being substantially non-toxic in both the anhydrous and hydrated conditions, and further wherein said first color is substantially in contrast to said second color. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A liquid phase water indicating disposable diaper for collecting and absorbing moisture, comprising:
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an absorbent layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a liner layer adherently disposed along said outer surface of said absorbent layer; and a wetness indicator disposed along a diaper surface in a random pattern, said wetness indicator interposed between said absorbent layer and said liner layer so as to be visible through said liner layer, said wetness indicator in fluid communication with said absorbent layer, said wetness indicator comprising; a hydratable salt present in an amount sufficient to exhibit a first color when in an anhydrous condition and a second color when in a hydrated condition, said hydratable salt being substantially non-toxic in both the anhydrous and hydrated conditions, and further wherein said first color is substantially in contrast to said second color.
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47. A liquid phase water indicating disposable diaper for collecting and absorbing moisture, comprising:
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an absorbent layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a liner layer adherently disposed along said outer surface of said absorbent layer; and a wetness indicator disposed along a diaper surface in stripes extending from a front portion of said diaper towards a back portion of said diaper, said wetness indicator interposed between said absorbent layer and said liner layer so as to be visible through said liner layer, said wetness indicator in fluid communication with said absorbent layer, said wetness indicator comprising; a hydratable salt present in an amount sufficient to exhibit a first color when in an anhydrous condition and a second color when in a hydrated condition, said hydratable salt being substantially non-toxic in both the anhydrous and hydrated conditions, and further wherein said first color is substantially in contrast to said second color.
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Specification