Smart absorbent articles and systems

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the indicator (60) is applied in the form of two or more stripes (60a, 60b), typically having different color-changing properties in response to exudates, and preferably said stripes (60a, 60b) being adjacent to each other and running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y, and typically wherein said stripes are in contact with one another along at least one of the peripheral edges thereof (60abe) or overlap one another such that an overlap width is less than the width of said stripes (60a, 60b).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the absorbent core (20) comprises a plurality of channels (500), preferably two channels (500), preferably comprising at least one right channel and at least one left channel, the right channel being disposed between the right side edge (18) and the longitudinal centreline along axis (Y), and the left channel being disposed between the left side edge (16) and the longitudinal centreline along axis (Y), wherein the right and left channels are preferably arcuate in shape such that the front and back ends of the left and right channels diverge towards the left side edge (16) and the transversely opposed right side edge (18) respectively and typically wherein the central portion of said channels converge towards the longitudinal centreline along axis (Y);

• or wherein the absorbent core (20) comprises a single channel (500) comprising two parallel and opposing longitudinally extending portions and one transversely extending portion connecting said longitudinally extending portions to form a substantially U-shaped channel (500).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the indicator (60) extends between portions of the channel(s) (500) along the Y axis and is arranged such that it prolongs beyond the channel(s) (500) at a first distance D1 towards front edge (12), preferably wherein the indicator (60) comprises a rear terminal edge positioned between said channel(s) (500) generally such that it does not prolong beyond the channel(s) (500) towards the rear edge (14).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the channel(s) (500) have a width WCh and the indicator (60) has a width WI, wherein WI is equal to, preferably, greater than WCh, preferably wherein WI is from 1.1 WCh to 4 WCh, more preferably from 1.2 WCh WCh to 3 WCh, even more preferably from 1.3 WCh to 2.5 WCh WCh, even more preferably from 1.4 WCh WCh to 2.2 WCh, even more preferably from 1.5 WCh to 2.0 WCh WCh.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the distance between the indicator (60) and a position of a channel(s) (500) closest thereto is less than indicator width WI and is equal to or greater than the channel width WCh, preferably wherein the position where the one or more channels (500) are closest to the indicator (60) is proximal to the rear terminal edge of the indicator (60) and distal from a position where the detection device (70) is to be coupled.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the distance D1 between a front-most edge of the one or more channels (500) and a front-most edge of the indicator (60) is more than 2.0 WCh, preferably from 2.5 WCh to 10.0 WCh, more preferably from 3.0 WCh to 8.0 WCh, even more preferably from 3.5 WCh to 7.0 WCh, even more preferably from 4.0 WCh to 6.0 WCh, even more preferably from 4.5 WCh to 5.5 WCh, wherein WCh is the width of the channel(s).

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the detection device position (DDP) may overlap the indicator (60) along an overlap length that is from 60% to 95% of distance D1, preferably from 70% to 90% of distance D1, even more preferably from 75% to 85% of distance D1, and preferably is positioned such that the front-most edge of the indicator (60) remains exposed from the detection device (70) when coupled to the absorbent article.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the indicator (60) comprises a chemical substance which induces a color change when exudates, such as urine or stool, are present, preferably wherein the color-changing indicator comprises a pH-sensitive sensor.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the indicator (60) is a color-changing indicator that changes color in response to a voiding event, such as an exudate wetness event, and wherein said indicator (60) has the following colors:

• substantially yellow in dry state, substantially blue in a fully saturated wet state, and is substantially green in a transition state between said dry state and said fully saturated wet state.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the detection device (70) comprises an attachment member for coupling to the absorbent article, said coupling member comprising a mechanical attachment selected from a hook-comprising structure arranged to mate to a loop-comprising structure on the garment facing surface of the backsheet (24);

• or a clamping structure arranged to clip and/or fasten to the garment facing surface of the backsheet (24) preferably within a pocket formed between said backsheet (24) and a covering layer joined thereto at a garment facing surface thereof.

A kit comprising an absorbent article and a detection device (70) such as according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of the absorbent articles and a detection device (70), wherein the detection device (70) is removably attached to the absorbent articles, one after another as they are used, and wherein the detection device (70) is arranged to stop working after a predetermined period of time, preferably wherein the predetermined period of time is more than 20 days and less than 100 days, more preferably from 25 days to 90 days.