Sensor systems comprising auxiliary articles

• US 9,907,707 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2012
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: LaVon, Gary Dean, Schober, Uwe, Lisseck, Lutz, Hollinger, Stefan Hubert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele M
• Application Number:
  US13/483,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,106 Days
• Field of Search: 604361, 60438511, 60438514, 60438519, 604393
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/496 in the form of pants or briefs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/505 with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts, A61F13/20, A61F13/49003 take precedence; supporting or fastening means A61F13/56; belts or the like A61F13/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51401 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51474 characterised by its structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/58 Adhesive tab fastener elements A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616, A61F13/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/625 characterised by the hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/80 adjustable relative to body crotch area
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1513 for anal discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/422 the alarm being a colour change
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51441 being a fibrous material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8497 having decorations or indicia means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/84 Systems specially adapted for particular applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/02 by investigating impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/048 for determining moisture content of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4875 Details of handling test elements, e.g. dispensing or storage, not specific to a particular test method test-elements per se B01L, automatic analysers G01N35/00, in-vivo analysis on the human body for medical diagnosis A61B
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article may comprise an absorbent article and an auxiliary article. The absorbent article may comprise a garment facing layer and an absorbent assembly. The auxiliary article may comprise a sensor. The sensor may be oriented externally adjacent the garment facing layer when the auxiliary article is fitted over the absorbent article. The sensor may not be physically attached to the absorbent article. The sensor may be configured to sense a change in condition within the absorbent article.

Claims

1. A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising:

an absorbent article comprising a garment facing layer of a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent assembly;

an auxiliary article comprising a sensor, wherein said auxiliary article is a distinct article from the absorbent article, the auxiliary article adapted to fit over the absorbent article, and wherein the auxiliary article does not comprise an absorbent assembly;

the auxiliary article comprising front and back waist regions, and a crotch region;

wherein the sensor is oriented such that it overlaps the crotch region and at least one of the front and back waist regions;

wherein the sensor is oriented externally adjacent the garment facing layer when the auxiliary article is fitted over the absorbent article;

wherein the sensor is disposed between two layers of the auxiliary article;

wherein the sensor is not physically attached to the absorbent article when the sensor is in use; and

wherein the sensor is configured to sense a change in condition of the absorbent article.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to sense temperature, humidity, density, optical changes, acoustical changes, chemical changes, changes in thickness of the absorbent article, and/or changes in material properties, of the absorbent article.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is non-conductive.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a carrier housing.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is discrete from the auxiliary article and is attached to an interior surface of the auxiliary article.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is integral with the auxiliary article.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and auxiliary article are washable.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary article is a non-absorbent article.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the absorbent assembly comprises an absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core is air felt free.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending modulus less than 2.0E+09 N/m2.

11. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending modulus less than 1.0E+08 N/m2.

12. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending modulus less than 1.0E+06 N/m2.

13. The sensor system of claim 1, comprises one or more apertures.

14. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary article comprises a pocket configured to receive the sensor, wherein the pocket has a length of at least 5 mm greater than the length of the sensor.

15. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary article comprises a pocket configured to receive the sensor, wherein the pocket has a length of at least 10 mm greater than the length of the sensor.

16. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary article comprises a pocket configured to receive the sensor, wherein the pocket has a length of at least 15 mm greater than the length of the sensor.

17. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the garment-facing layer has a WVTR from 500 to 8,000 g/m²/24 hours.

18. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the garment-facing layer has a WVTR from 1000 to 6,000 g/m²/24 hours.

19. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the garment-facing layer has a WVTR from 2,000 to 4,000 g/m²/24 hours.

20. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is capable of predicting conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event based on the change in a property.