Dimensionally-sensitive moisture sensor and an alarm system for an absorbent article

A system for detecting moisture, the system comprising:

• a moisture-resistant layer;
• an absorbent material coupled to the moisture-resistant layer;
• a moisture sensor disposed in or on the absorbent material, wherein the sensor has a plurality of electrical contacts coupled thereto, and wherein the sensor detects moisture by changing a state of the plurality of electrical contacts from a normally open to a closed, or from a normally closed to an open position, under the force of mechanical expansion or contraction of the sensor in the presence of moisture;
• a plurality of electrically conductive leads, wherein each of the electrically conductive leads is respectively coupled to one of the plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the moisture sensor;
• and
• an alarm system coupled to the electrically conductive leads, wherein the alarm system is activated by the change of the state of the electrical contacts in the moisture sensor.

An alarm system for indicating a presence of moisture in an absorbent article, the alarm system comprising:

• a sensor for detecting moisture, the sensor having a housing made of material dimensionally sensitive to the presence of moisture;
• logic for determining when an electrical circuit coupled to the sensor changes from a normally open position to a closed position or from a normally closed position to an open position;
• and
• a power source coupled to the logic.