Absorbent article featuring leakage warning

• US 8,044,258 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Hietpas, Lloyd Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens; Jacqueline F.
• Application Number:
  US12/215,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20090326492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 604/361, 604/362, 604/367, 604/385.01, 604/378, 604/385.28
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm

Abstract

An absorbent article for preventing leakage is presented and includes an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to provide a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical impulse. Also presented is an absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical impulse.

Claims

1. An absorbent article for preventing leakage, the article comprising:

an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter; and

a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to provide a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical current delivered to a wearer of the article.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent assembly has a lateral edge, and wherein the portion of the perimeter is the lateral edge.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent assembly has a longitudinal end, and wherein the portion of the perimeter is the longitudinal end.

4. The article of claim 1, the absorbent assembly has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the leakage warning element is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis.

5. The article of claim 1, the absorbent assembly has a transverse axis, and wherein the leakage warning element is spaced apart from the transverse axis.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the leakage warning element includes an electrical circuit.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit includes a battery.

8. The article of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit includes a pair of electrodes adapted to provide a physical sensation.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the pair of electrodes is adapted to remain in contact with a body of a wearer when the article is being worn.

10. The article of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit includes a conductor disposed on a circuit substrate, and wherein the circuit substrate is disposed on the absorbent assembly.

11. The article of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit includes a conductor disposed on a circuit substrate, and wherein the circuit substrate is disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a garment-like article including leg openings, and wherein the leakage warning element is disposed adjacent the leg openings.

13. The article of claim 1, the article further including a flap, wherein the portion of the perimeter is the flap.

14. The article of claim 1, the article further including a cuff, wherein the portion of the perimeter is the cuff.

15. The article of claim 1, the article further including a tab, wherein the portion of the perimeter is the tab.

16. An absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article comprising:

an absorbent assembly; and

a leakage warning element disposed adjacent the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical current delivered to the wearer of the article.

17. The article of claim 16, wherein the leakage warning element includes an electrical circuit.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the electrical circuit includes a pair of electrodes adapted to provide a physical sensation and adapted to remain in contact with a body of a wearer when the article is being worn.

19. An absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article comprising:

an absorbent assembly; and

a leakage warning element in fluid contact with the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer, and wherein the physical sensation includes an electrical current delivered to the wearer of the article.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein the leakage warning element includes a pair of electrodes adapted to provide a physical sensation and adapted to remain in contact with a body of a wearer when the article is being worn.