Absorbent article comprising a liquid discharge detection sensor

摘要

An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge of a wearer when worn in the crotch region includes an absorbent core for doing the absorbing of the liquid discharge. A conductive layer is in electrical contact with the absorbent core. The article includes at least one set of first and second electrical contacts secured in intimate physical and electrical contact with the conductive layer such that when an electric potential is applied between the first and second electrical contacts, an electric current travels between them and through the conductive layer in such a way so as to follow a first relatively high impedance path along the conductive layer when the absorbent core is dry and a relatively low impedance path when the absorbent core is wet. This system allows a system verification check, even in the dry state, and the determination of the extent of the wet portion of the absorbent core.

主权项

1. An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge of a wearer when worn in the crotch region, the absorbent article comprising:
an absorbent core for absorbing the liquid discharge, an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with the absorbent core, and at least one set of first and second electrical contacts in contact with the electrically conductive layer such that when an electric potential is applied between the first and second electrical contacts, an electric current travels between them and through the electrically conductive layer in such a way so as to follow a first relatively high impedance path along the electrically conductive layer when the absorbent core is in a dry state and to follow a relatively low impedance path when the absorbent core is in a wetted state from the liquid discharge that at least partially diverts through the absorbent core, wherein the change in impedance from the dry core state to the wetted core state is measurable, wherein each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact extend longitudinally and/or laterally over at least 25% of the absorbent core, and wherein there are a plurality of sets of first and second contacts distributed longitudinally and/or laterally about the electrically conductive layer.