Wetness sensors
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsXuedong Song, Darold D. Tippey, Jessica Sara Van Handel
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Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure a method for detecting the presence of urine is described. The method includes providing a urine indicating sensor with a porous matrix, the matrix having a pH indicator non-diffusively immobilized thereon, the pH indicator being capable of a color transition when in contact with urine. Urine is contacted with the matrix of the sensor and the presence of urine is determined based on whether the pH indicator undergoes a color transition.
Claims17
A method for detecting the presence of urine, the method comprising:
- providing a urine indicating sensor comprising a matrix, the matrix having a mixture of a thermochromic material and a temperature change agent disposed thereon, the temperature change agent configured to cause either a temperature increase or a temperature decrease when brought into contact with urine so as to be capable of causing a temperature change in the thermochromic material resulting in a color transition, wherein the temperature change member comprises xylitol, sorbitol, or combinations thereof;
- contacting urine with the matrix of the sensor;
- and
- determining the presence of urine based on whether the thermochromic material undergoes a color transition.
A sensor for determining the presence of absence of urine, the sensor comprising a matrix defining:
- a thermochromic zone having a mixture of a thermochromic material and a temperature change agent disposed therein, the temperature change agent configured to cause either a temperature increase or a temperature decrease when brought into contact with urine so as to be capable of causing a temperature change in the thermochromic material resulting in a color transition, wherein the temperature change member comprises xylitol, sorbitol, or combinations thereof.
An absorbent article capable of determining the determining the presence of absence of urine:
- a substantially liquid impermeable layer;
- a liquid permeable layer;
- an absorbent core positioned between the substantially liquid impermeable layer and the liquid permeable layer;
- and
- a sensor integrated into the article and positioned such that the sensor is in fluid communication with the urine when provided by a wearer of the article, the sensor comprising a matrix defining:
- a thermochromic zone having a mixture of a thermochromic material and a temperature change agent disposed therein, the temperature change agent configured to cause either a temperature increase or a temperature decrease when brought into contact with urine so as to be capable of causing a temperature change in the thermochromic material resulting in a color transition, wherein the temperature change member comprises xylitol, sorbitol, or combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.