Tampon wetness detection system

• US 5,904,671 A
• Filed: 10/03/1997
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nir Navot, Ronnie Botton
• Original Assignee: Nir Navot, Ronnie Botton
• Inventors: Botton, Ronnie, Navot, Nir
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUHL, DENNIS WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US08/943,193
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 604/361, 604/363, 604/904, 73/73, 340/604, 340/573
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/20 Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/2051 characterised by the material or the structure of the inner absorbing core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/904 Tampons

Abstract

A tampon wetness detection system which includes (a) a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into a distal end of an absorbent body insertable into a vagina, the proximal end of the housing being fluid permeable; (b) a radio frequency identification device being implemented in the housing, the radio frequency identification device including a transmitter; (c) a conductive wetness sensor being in the proximal end of the housing and in electrical communication with the radio frequency identification device, such that when the conductive wetness sensor senses wetness the radio frequency identification device is operable; and (d) a remote reporting device including a receiver for receiving a radio signal concerning the wetness of the absorbent body from the radio frequency identification device and further including a reporting mechanism for reporting a user of the wetness of the absorbent body.

Claims

1. A tampon wetness detection system comprising:

(a) a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into a distal end of an absorbent body insertable into a vagina, said proximal end of said housing being fluid permeable;

(b) a radio frequency identification device being implemented in said housing, said radio frequency identification device including a transmitter;

(c) a conductive wetness sensor being in said proximal end of said housing and in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when said conductive wetness sensor senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable, said conductive wetness sensor including two metal plates and an absorbent substance disposed therebetween, such that when said absorbent substance becomes wet, said sensor becomes conductive; and

(d) a remote reporting device including a receiver for receiving a radio signal concerning the wetness of the absorbent body from said radio frequency identification device and further including a reporting mechanism for reporting a user of the wetness of the absorbent body.

2. A tampon assembly comprising:

(a) an absorbent body insertable into a vagina;

(b) a radio frequency identification device being implemented in contact with said body, said radio frequency identification device including a transmitter; and

(c) a conductive wetness sensor being implemented in intimate contact with said body said conductive wetness sensor being in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when said conductive wetness sensor senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said radio frequency identification device is selected from the group consisting of passive radio frequency identification device and active radio frequency identification device.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said conductive wetness sensor includes two metal plates and an absorbent substance disposed therebetween, such that when said absorbent substance becomes wet, said sensor becomes conductive.

5. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising

(d) a plurality of conductive wetness sensors being implemented in intimate contact with and along said body, each of said plurality of conductive wetness sensors being in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when any of said conductive wetness sensors senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable for providing a sensor specific radio signal, so that information of tampon available wetness capacitance is obtainable.

6. A system for detecting wetness of a tampon comprising:

(a) a tampon assembly including;

(i) an absorbent body insertable into a vagina;

(ii) a radio frequency identification device being implemented idin contact with said body, said radio frequency identification device including a transmitter; and

(iii) a conductive wetness sensor being implemented in intimate contact with said body, said conductive wetness sensor being in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when said conductive wetness sensor senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable; and

(b) a remote reporting device including a receiver for receiving a radio signal concerning the wetness of the tampon from said radio frequency identification device and further including a reporting mechanism for reporting a used of the wetness of the tampon.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said radio frequency identification device is selected from the group consisting of passive radio frequency identification device and active radio frequency identification device.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein said conductive wetness sensor includes two metal plates and an absorbent substance disposed therebetween, such that when said absorbent substance becomes wet, said sensor becomes conductive.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein said tampon assembly further includes:

(iv) a plurality of conductive wetness sensors being implemented in intimate contact with and along said body, each of said plurality of conductive wetness sensors being in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when any of said conductive wetness sensors senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable for providing a sensor specific radio signal, so that information of tampon available wetness capacitance is obtainable.

7. The system of 6, further comprising:

(c) a remote prompting device for promoting said radio frequency identification device to transmit said radio signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said remote reporting device and said promoting device are integrated into a remote reporting and prompting device.

12. A tampon wetness detection system comprising:

(a) a nail-shaped housing having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into a distal end of an absorbent body insertable into a vagina, said proximal end of said housing being fluid permeable;

(b) a radio frequency identification device being implemented in said housing, said radio frequency identification device including a transmitter;

(c) a conductive wetness sensor being in said proximal end of said housing and in electrical communication with said radio frequency identification device, such that when said conductive wetness sensor senses wetness said radio frequency identification device is operable; and

(d) a remote reporting device including a receiver for receiving a radio signal concerning the wetness of the absorbent body from said radio frequency identification device and further including a reporting mechanism for reporting a user of the wetness of the absorbent body.