Disposable article having a responsive system including a mechanical actuator

• US 6,186,991 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Schmidt, Mattias, Roe, Donald C., Allen, Patrick J., Ronn, Karl P., Ehrnsperger, Bruno J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIDWELL, MICHELE M
• Application Number:
  US09/106,225
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 435/291, 340/604, 428/289, 604/359, 604/360, 604/361
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/495 with faecal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/82 with means for attaching to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8473 for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8479 including electric or magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/18 containing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/20 containing organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/24 Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/26 Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/56 Wetness-indicators or colourants
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5308 for analytes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. nucleic acids, uric acid, worms, mites

Abstract

Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons and the like having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input and a mechanical actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon bodily waste, a wearer, the article or a component or components thereof.

Claims

1. A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer comprising:

(a) a responsive system including;

(i) a sensor adapted to detect an input,

(ii) a mechanical actuator operatively connected to said sensor, said actuator being adapted to perform a responsive function upon said input, said actuator comprising a distinct component from said sensor, and

(iii) a feedback control loop in which said actuator is adapted to perform said responsive function upon said input when said sensor detects said input.

2. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said actuator performs said responsive function in a continuous manner.

3. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said actuator performs said responsive function in a discontinuous manner.

4. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive system comprises a step-type responsive system.

5. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 2.0.

6. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 10.0.

7. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 100.

8. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 25.

9. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 50.

10. The disposable article of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous responsive function is performed such that said discontinuous responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 100.

11. The disposable article of claim 1 further comprising a liquid permeable topsheet;

a backsheet joined with said topsheet; and

an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of said topsheet and said backsheet.

12. The disposable article of claim 1 further comprising a controller, said controller being adapted to receive a signal from said sensor and allow said actuator to perform said responsive function when said sensor detects said input.

13. The disposable article of claim 12, wherein said controller is a distinct component from said sensor and said actuator.

14. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said feedback control loop is selected from the group consisting of:

a modulating feedback control loop and a non-modulating feedback control loop.

15. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said responsive function comprises one or more of the group selected from transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, releasing a stored material, releasing a pH control agent, releasing an enzyme inhibitor, releasing a skin care composition, delivering a stored material, delivering an active ingredient, delivering a stored material to the skin of a wearer, delivering a stored material to a bodily waste, entrapping feces, encapsulating feces, providing a void space, and pumping a liquid bodily waste.

16. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said actuator is adapted to transform a potential energy in order to perform said responsive function, said potential energy being selected from one or more of the group of stored mechanical energy, compressive mechanical energy, and torsional mechanical energy.

17. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group of an electrical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a biosensor, and a closed system liquid transport member.

18. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said actuator is selected from one or more of the group of release of a vacuum, a mechanical actuator, a compressed resilient material, a compressed resilient material contrained in a vacuum sealed water soluble fiber, a mechanical pump, and a closed system liquid transport member.

19. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said input is selected from the group of pressure, water, pH, electrical activity and an enzyme.

20. The disposable article of claim 1, wherein said article is selected from the group of:

a diaper, a training pant, a sanitary napkin, a tampon, and a colostomy type bag.

21. A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer comprising:

(a) a responsive system further comprising;

(i) a sensor adapted to detect an input, and

(ii) a mechanical actuator operatively connected to said sensor, said actuator being adapted to perform a responsive function in a discontinuous manner when said sensor detects said input.

22. The disposable article of claim 21 further comprising a liquid permeable topsheet and a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of said topsheet and at least a portion of said backsheet.

23. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor is proactive.

24. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor and said actuator are distinct components.

25. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor is joined to said article.

26. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor is adapted to be affixed to the wearer.

27. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said actuator is joined to said article.

28. The disposable article of claim 21 further comprising a controller, said controller being adapted to receive a signal from said sensor and allow said actuator to perform said responsive function when a threshold level of said input has been met.

29. The disposable article of claim 28, wherein said controller is a distinct component.

30. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said discontinuous responsive system comprises a step-type responsive system.

31. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function comprises one or more of the group selected from:

transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, delivering a stored material, delivering an active ingredient, delivering a stored material to the skin of a wearer, delivering a stored material to a bodily waste, entrapping feces, encapsulating feces, providing a void space, and pumping a liquid bodily waste.

32. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said actuator is adapted to transform a potential energy in order to perform said responsive function, said potential energy being selected from one or more of the group of:

stored mechanical energy, compressive mechanical energy, torsional mechanical energy.

33. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor is selected from the group of:

an electrical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a chemical sensor, a water soluble film, a water soluble pH sensitive film, a biosensor and a closed system liquid transport member.

34. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said actuator is selected from the group of:

release of a vacuum, a compressed resilient material, a compressed resilient material constrained in a vacuum sealed water soluble film, and a closed system liquid transport member.

35. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said input is selected from the group of pressure, water, pH, electrical activity and an enzyme.

36. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 2.0.

37. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 5.0.

38. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by the equation:

${\left(\frac{<br><br>R}{<br><br>I}<br><br>\right)}_{I=I_0}=k<br><br>\frac{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>R_T\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\Delta <br><br>}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>I_T\right)},$

wherein said constant k is greater than or equal to about 100.

39. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 25.

40. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 50.

41. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said responsive function is performed such that said responsive system has an output function that may be modeled by a control system having a transfer function of the equation:

KG(s)=K/(Ts+1)ⁿ, wherein said n value is greater than or equal to about 100.

42. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said article selected from the group of:

a diaper, a training pant, a sanitary napkin, a tampon, and a colostomy type bag.

43. The disposable article of claim 21, wherein said sensor comprises a water soluble film and said actuator comprises compressed mechanical energy of a compressed vacuum sealed resilient material.