# US 2014/0155850 A1 · Liquid detection system having a signaling device and an absorbent article with graphics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155850 A1 - Document ID: US20140155850A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/705,368 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Gopal Manoj Shah; Davis Dang Hoang Nhan; Sudhanshu Gakhar; Stacy Averic Mundschau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155850A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/42: with wetness indicator or alarm - A61F 13/51496: {having visual effects} - A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means} - 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) ## Abstract A liquid detection system includes an absorbent article for personal wear having a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The article also includes at least one graphic element, a conductive pattern at least partially superposed with the graphic element, and a barrier layer disposed between the graphic element and the conductive pattern. A non-invasive signaling device is selectively attachable to the outer cover of the absorbent article in overlying relationship with the conductive pattern. The signaling device is adapted to detect the presence of liquid within the absorbent article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid detection system comprising: an absorbent article for personal wear comprising: a liquid permeable liner; an outer cover; an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover; and at least one graphic element, a conductive pattern at least partially superposed with the graphic element, and a barrier layer disposed between the graphic element and the conductive pattern; and a non-invasive signaling device selectively attachable to the outer cover of the absorbent article in overlying relationship with the conductive pattern, the signaling device being adapted to detect the presence of liquid within the absorbent article. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is located on a portion of the outer cover, the portion of the outer cover having an opacity between 50% and 100%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 2 wherein the opacity of the outer cover is about 85%. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is formed by applying an ink to the outer cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 4 wherein the barrier layer is formed by applying a white ink comprising titanium dioxide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 1 wherein the barrier layer covers a larger surface area than the conductive pattern such that the barrier layer underlies the entire conductive pattern. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 1 wherein no portion of the conductive pattern extends beyond a periphery edge of the barrier layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid detection system set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the at least one graphic element, the conductive pattern, and the barrier layer are located on an outer surface of the outer cover. ### Claim 9 An absorbent article for use with a non-invasive signaling device, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable liner; an outer cover; an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover; at least one graphic element; a conductive pattern at least partially superposed with the graphic element; and a barrier layer disposed between the graphic element and the conductive pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The absorbent article set forth in claim 9 wherein the conductive pattern has an electrical fingerprint based on at least one of conductivity, capacitance, and inductance of the conductive pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The absorbent article set forth in claim 9 wherein the conductive pattern is formed by applying carbon black ink to the outer cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The absorbent article set forth in claim 9 wherein conductive pattern has a capacitance between 10 picofarads and 1,000 picofarads. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The absorbent article set forth in claim 9 wherein the barrier layer is located on a portion of the outer cover, the portion of the outer cover having an opacity between 50% and 100%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The absorbent article set forth in claim 9 wherein the conductive pattern has a dielectric constant between 1 and 15. ### Claim 15 An outer cover for an absorbent article, the outer cover comprising at least one graphic element, a conductive pattern at least partially superposed with the graphic element, and a barrier layer disposed between the graphic element and the conductive pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The outer cover set forth in claim 15 wherein the outer cover comprises a laminate having an inner layer and an outer layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The outer cover set forth in claim 16 wherein the graphic element is disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer, and the conductive pattern is disposed on the inner surface of the inner layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The outer cover set forth in claim 17 wherein the barrier layer is disposed on the inner surface of the inner layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The outer cover set forth in claim 18 wherein the conductive pattern is formed by printing the conductive pattern onto the barrier layer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The outer cover set forth in claim 19 wherein a portion of the outer cover including the barrier layer has an opacity between 50% and 1000.