Absorbent article featuring leakage warning

• US 8,338,659 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Collins, Meghan Elizabeth, Mosbacher, Richard Dickerson, Long, Andrew Mark, Tippey, Darold Dean, Weber, Shirlee Ann, Van Handel, Jessica Sara
• Primary Examiner(s): Deak, Leslie
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARCETICH, ADAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/799,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/361, 604/367, 604/368, 604/378, 604/385.17, 604/385.18, 604/385.24
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/56 Wetness-indicators or colourants

Abstract

Disclosed is an absorbent article for preventing leakage, the article including 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. Also disclosed 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.

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 within the absorbent assembly and only 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.

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 is a temperature change element.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the temperature change element is a cooling element.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the cooling element includes a cooling material disposed on the absorbent assembly.

9. The article of claim 7, wherein the cooling element includes a cooling material disposed on a strip of material, and wherein the strip of material is disposed on the absorbent assembly.

10. The article of claim 7, wherein the cooling element includes a cooling material disposed on a strip of material, and wherein the strip of material is disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter.

11. The article of claim 6, wherein the temperature change element is a heating element.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the leakage warning element is a pressure-inducing element.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the leakage warning element is a foam-producing element.

14. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a tampon including a proximal end and a string attached at the proximal end.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the portion of the perimeter is the proximal end.

16. The article of claim 14, wherein the portion of the perimeter is the string.

17. 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.

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

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

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

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

an absorbent assembly in fluid contact with a transport member; and

a leakage warning element in fluid contact with the transport member such that the absorbent assembly is in fluid contact with the leakage warning element via the transport member, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer.