Absorbent products with wetness sensors

摘要

A sensor that is sensitive to the presence of aqueous-based fluids is described. The sensor has a wetness indicating material immobilized or printed on a substrate. The indicating material contains at least one electron-donating leuco dye and one electron deficient receptor, and exhibits a visual signal (e.g., vivid or strong color intensity) in a dry state, which fades or disappears when in contact with a water-containing liquid. An absorbent article incorporating such a sensor to communicate to a user that the article has been exposed to water-containing fluids is also described.

主权项

1. An absorbent article capable of determining the presence or absence of a water-containing liquid, the absorbent article comprising:
a chassis comprised of a substantially liquid impermeable outercover and a liquid permeable bodyside liner, the chassis having a front waist seam, a back waist seam and a pair of opposing side seams; wherein the bodyside liner is attached to the outercover at the front waist seam, the back waist seam and the pair of opposing side seams; and an absorbent core positioned between the substantially liquid impermeable outercover and the liquid permeable bodyside liner; and a sensor integrated into the article and positioned such that the sensor is in fluid communication with bodily fluids or waste from a wearer of the article, the sensor comprising a substrate, the substrate having at least one type of wetness indicating material immobilized or printed thereon, wherein and the indicating material contains at least one electron-donating leuco dye and one electron deficient receptor, and wherein the indicating material contains a wettability enhancing agent or a hydrophilic water-soluble agent; wherein the sensor is capable of a color transition from a color to a weaker color or colorless when in contact with said bodily fluid or waste.