Absorbent article leakage assessment system

• US 10,350,115 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Long, Andrew M., Sullivan, Shawn J., Robertson, John C., Dodge, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roberts, Herbert K
• Application Number:
  US15/549,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20180036180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49004 with fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8488 including testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8491 including test methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69

Abstract

A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having an outer surface, the system including a computer and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer. The system also includes a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, and an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.

Claims

1. A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having a body-side liner, an outer cover providing an outer surface, and an absorbent structure located between the outer cover and the body-side liner, the system comprising:

a computer;

a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer;

a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, the wetness detection mat configured to detect leakage from the absorbent article of urine or other bodily fluid leaking out of the absorbent article; and

an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the absorbent article includes edges, and wherein the absorbent article edges include wetness detection indicia.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wetness detection indicia include a color-changing ink.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to detect wetness using capacitance.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to detect wetness using inductance.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to detect wetness using infrared reflectance.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to be attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the signaling device includes a mechanical attachment means.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mechanical attachment means is hook material.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the signaling device includes an adhesive attachment means.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling device includes a housing and a flexible sensor band extending from the housing.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capture device is an imaging sensor comprising color and infrared sensors.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the wetness detection mat is configured to electronically detect wetness.

14. A method for assessing leakage from an absorbent article in use by a wearer, the method comprising:

placing the absorbent article on the wearer, the absorbent article comprising a body-side liner, an outer cover providing an outer surface, and an absorbent structure located between the outer cover and the body-side liner, the absorbent article further comprising wetness detection indicia and a signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article;

positioning the wearer on a bed or other surface;

disposing a wetness detection mat between the absorbent article and the bed, the wetness detection mat configured to detect leakage from the absorbent article of urine or other bodily fluid leaking out of the absorbent article;

using a camera, continuously detecting a position of the wearer;

electronically recording wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and wearer position; and

viewing the wetness detection indicia to detect where leakage occurred.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the wetness detection indicia include a color-changing ink.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling device is configured to detect wetness using capacitance.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling device is adapted to be attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling device includes a housing and a flexible sensor band extending from the housing.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the camera is an imaging sensor comprising color and infrared sensors.

20. A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having a body-side liner, an outer cover providing an outer surface, and an absorbent structure located between the outer cover and the body-side liner, the system comprising:

a computer;

a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article using capacitance, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer, and wherein the signaling device is adapted to be attached to the outer surface of the absorbent article;

a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the wetness detection mat is configured to electronically detect wetness from leakage from the absorbent article of urine or other bodily fluid leaking out of the absorbent article; and

an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.