# US 10,864,118 B2 · Absorbent articles comprising sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,118 B2 - Document ID: US10864118B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/705,996 - Filed: 2017-09-15 - Published: 2018-01-04 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-03 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company - Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon; Vijay Rajagopalan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864118B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/505: with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts (A61F13/20 {, A61F13/49003} take precedence) - A61F 13/42: with wetness indicator or alarm - A61F 13/496: in the form of pants or briefs - A61F 13/514: Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin {(A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence)} - A61F 13/51401: {characterised by the material} - A61F 13/51474: {characterised by its structure} - A61F 13/58: Adhesive tab fastener elements ({A61F13/5611, A61F13/5616}, A61F13/66 take precedence) - A61F 13/625: {characterised by the hook} - A61F 13/80: adjustable relative to body crotch area - A61F 13/84: Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads - G01N 27/048: {for determining moisture content of the material} - 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)} - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - A61F 2013/1513: {for anal discharge} - A61F 2013/422: {the alarm being a colour change} - A61F 2013/424: {having an electronic device} - A61F 2013/51441: {being a fibrous material} - A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means} - G01N 21/84: Systems specially adapted for particular applications - G01N 27/02: by investigating impedance - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article may comprise an absorbent article and a sensor. The absorbent article may comprise a garment-facing layer and an absorbent assembly. The sensor may be disposed in and/or on the absorbent article. The sensor may be separable from the absorbent article. The sensor may be configured to sense a change in condition within the absorbent article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer and an absorbent assembly; a sensor; wherein the sensor is disposed in or on the absorbent article; wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article; and wherein the sensor is an optical sensor; and wherein the absorbent article comprises a material that reacts with urine or feces insult to change color which provides an optical indication for the optical sensor, wherein the material that reacts with urine or feces insult becomes darker when liquid is introduced and becomes lighter as the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a carrier layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a housing or a carrier layer; and wherein the carrier layer or the housing comprises a shaped portion comprising a radius of curvature greater than 0.25 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an airway. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the absorbent article comprises a pocket configured to receive the sensor, wherein the pocket has a length longer than the sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sensor system of claim 5, wherein the pocket comprises a closure element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the garment-facing layer comprises a combination of a film and a nonwoven. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the film is porous. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the film is nonporous. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of additional absorbent articles to which the sensor can be attached after it separated from a previously worn absorbent article. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article by a shear force of from about 10 to about 70 N. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article by a pulling force of from about 25 to about 500N. ### Claim 14 A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer and an absorbent assembly; a sensor; wherein the sensor is disposed in or on the absorbent article; wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article; wherein a portion of the sensor has a first width dimension and a second length dimension, wherein the first width dimension is at least 1.25 inches or the second length dimension is at least 2.25 inches; wherein the sensor is an optical sensor; and wherein the absorbent article comprises a material placed against the garment-facing layer that reacts with urine or feces insult to change color which provides an optical change for the optical sensor to measure; and wherein the optical properties of the color-changing material exhibit a measurable degree between a first incontinent event and a subsequent incontinent event and the optical changes are reversible after each incontinent event. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the garment-facing layer comprises a combination of a film and a nonwoven. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The sensor system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of additional absorbent articles to which the sensor can be attached after it separated from a previously worn absorbent article. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article by a shear force of from about 10 to about 70 N. ### Claim 18 A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer and an absorbent assembly; a sensor; wherein the sensor is disposed in or on the absorbent article; wherein the sensor is separable from the absorbent article; wherein a portion of the sensor has a first width dimension and a second length dimension, wherein the first width dimension is at least 1.25 inches or the second length dimension is at least 2.25 inches; wherein the sensor is an optical sensor; and wherein the absorbent article comprises a material placed against the garment-facing layer that reacts with urine or feces insult to change color which provides an optical indication for the optical sensor; and wherein the optical sensor can provide information, based on the duration of the optical change, related to the amount of urine present in the absorbent article and/or the remaining absorbent core capacity of the absorbent article. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The sensor system of claim 18, wherein the garment-facing layer comprises a combination of a film and a nonwoven. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The sensor system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of additional absorbent articles to which the sensor can be attached after it separated from a previously worn absorbent article.