Moisture detection apparatus
First Claim
1. A moisture detection apparatus for detecting at a first location the presence of moisture within a liquid absorbing material disposed at said first location caused by the existence of a liquid at a second remote location, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) detection means, including liquid transfer means disposed intermediate said first and second locations, for absorbing moisture at said second location and for transferring the moisture to the first location, said detection means comprising a first liquid absorbing material disposed at the second location, said liquid transfer means comprising non-absorbing means for transferring liquid from said first liquid absorbing material to said liquid absorbing material located at said fist location in a quantity sufficient to cause said liquid absorbing material to become electrically conductive;
(b) signaling means located proximate said first location and operably associated with said detection means for emitting a signal upon said liquid transfer means transferring liquid to said first location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture detection apparatus for signaling to a caregiver that a diaper or other article of clothing worn by an infant or adult being cared for by the caregiver is wet and needs to be changed. The apparatus includes a liquid transfer component having a plurality of capillaries for transferring liquid from the wet diaper to a remote location and a signaling device which emits either an audio signal or a visual signal, or both when an infant or adult patient is in need of attention due to a wet diaper or other article of clothing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A moisture detection apparatus for detecting at a first location the presence of moisture within a liquid absorbing material disposed at said first location caused by the existence of a liquid at a second remote location, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) detection means, including liquid transfer means disposed intermediate said first and second locations, for absorbing moisture at said second location and for transferring the moisture to the first location, said detection means comprising a first liquid absorbing material disposed at the second location, said liquid transfer means comprising non-absorbing means for transferring liquid from said first liquid absorbing material to said liquid absorbing material located at said fist location in a quantity sufficient to cause said liquid absorbing material to become electrically conductive; (b) signaling means located proximate said first location and operably associated with said detection means for emitting a signal upon said liquid transfer means transferring liquid to said first location. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for indicating at a first location the existence of moisture caused by the disposition of a liquid at a second remote location, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a first liquid absorbing material disposed at the second remote location; (b) a second liquid absorbing expandable material disposed proximate the first location; (c) a liquid transfer means comprising a plurality of capillaries disposed intermediate said first and second liquid absorbing materials for transferring liquid from said first liquid absorbing material to said second liquid absorbing material in a quantity sufficient to cause said second liquid absorbing material to expand; and (d) a signal generating means operably associated with said second liquid absorbing material for generating a signal upon expansion of said second liquid absorbing material. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A moisture detection apparatus for detecting moisture within a liquid absorbing material disposed at a first location, the presence of moisture caused by the existence of a liquid within a liquid absorbing material located at a second remote location, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) detection means including liquid transfer means for absorbing moisture at said second location and for transferring the moisture to the first location, said liquid transfer means comprising a multiplicity of capillaries; and (b) signaling means located proximate said first location and operably associated with said detection means for emitting a signal upon said liquid transfer means transferring moisture to said first location, said signaling means comprising; (i) a source of electrical current comprising a battery; and (ii) a signalling device connected to and operated by said source of electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A moisture detection apparatus for detecting at a first location the presence of moisture caused by the existence of a liquid at a second remote location, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) detection means, including liquid transfer means, for absorbing moisture at said second location and for transferring the moisture to the first location, said detection means further comprising a first liquid absorbing material disposed at said second location;
said liquid transfer means comprising a pair of elongated capillary tubes;(b) signaling means located proximate said first location and operably associated with said detection means for emitting a signal upon said liquid transfer means transferring moisture to said first location, said signaling means comprising; (i) a source of electrical current; (ii) a signaling device connected to and operated by said source of electrical current; and (iii) switch means disposed between said signalling means and said source of electrical current for controlling the flow of current there between, said switch means comprising; a. a first contact connected to said signaling device; b. a second contact connected to said source of electrical current and spaced apart from said first contact; and c. switch operating means for moving said first and second contacts into conductive engagement, said switch operating means comprising a second liquid absorbing, expandable material in communication with said liquid transfer means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification