# US 2010/0168702 A1 · Conductor-Less Detection System For An Absorbent Article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0168702 A1 - Document ID: US20100168702A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/648,645 - Filed: 2009-12-29 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, III; Sudhanshu Gakhar; Andrew Mark Long - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100168702A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/42: with wetness indicator or alarm - A61B 5/202: {Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment} - A61B 5/6808: {Diapers} - A61B 5/7207: {of noise induced by motion artifacts} - A61F 2013/424: {having an electronic device} - A61F 2013/8482: {including numeric control, e.g. using computer} - G01N 27/223: {for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity (rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825)} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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) ## Abstract Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one aspect, for instance, a signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. The signaling device can include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising: a housing; and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to the absorbent article. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor includes an open face virtual capacitor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is flexible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a visual notification. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide an audio notification. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a wireless notification. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a vibratory notification. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only once no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about five minutes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only once no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about 20 minutes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to sense a change in capacitance by measuring the time taken to discharge a capacitor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the capacitive sensor including an inductance-capacitance circuit, wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to sense a change in capacitance by measuring changes in the resonant frequency of the inductance-capacitance circuit. ### Claim 15 A body exudate collection and detection system comprising: an absorbent article; and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor including an open face virtual capacitor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the signaling device to the absorbent article. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article. ### Claim 19 A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising: a housing; an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article; and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor including an open face virtual capacitor, wherein the signaling device is adapted to emit a signal when a change in a condition within the absorbent structure is sensed by the capacitive sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of settings that are selected by the user depending upon at least one specification of the absorbent article. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to differentiate between a first insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid from a second insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to discern a steady state environment within the absorbent article after the article is donned before being configured to emit a signal by the signaling device.