Embedded antenna for sensing article

A method for indicating an insult to an absorbent article to be worn by a wearer, the method comprising:

• providing an absorbent article including an absorbent assembly disposed between an outercover and a bodyside liner, inner and outer surfaces, and an insult-sensing conductive element at least partially disposed between the outercover and the bodyside liner such that an insult must pass through the bodyside liner to contact the conductive element, wherein the conductive element is in fluid communication with the absorbent assembly;
• providing a signaling device including
• a transmitter configured to be removably attachable to the inner or outer surface of the absorbent article, the transmitter coupled to the insult-sensing conductive element and including a power source, wherein the conductive element is a transmitting antenna for the transmitter, and wherein the transmitting antenna is adapted to use the wearer as a ground plane, and
• a receiver separate from the absorbent article, the receiver configured to receive wirelessly a signal from the transmitting antenna, wherein the transmitter and receiver are separate and discrete units of the signaling device, the signaling device being configured to indicate the presence of a body fluid in the article, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal via the transmitting antenna;
• and
• maximizing the receivability of the signal by optimizing an aspect of the transmitter or the transmitting antenna, wherein the transmitter via the transmitting antenna transmits at a frequency between 1 GHz and 100 MHz.

A method for indicating an insult to an absorbent article to be worn by a wearer, the method comprising:

• providing an absorbent article including an absorbent assembly disposed between an outercover and a bodyside liner, inner and outer surfaces, and an insult-sensing conductive element at least partially disposed between the outercover and the bodyside liner such that an insult must pass through the bodyside liner to contact the conductive element, wherein the conductive element is in fluid communication with the absorbent assembly;
• providing a signaling device including
• a transmitter configured to be removably attachable to the inner or outer surface of the absorbent article, the transmitter coupled to the insult-sensing conductive element and including a power source, wherein the conductive element is a transmitting antenna for the transmitter and wherein the transmitting antenna is adapted to use the wearer as a reradiation element, and
• a receiver separate from the absorbent article, the receiver configured to receive wirelessly a signal from the transmitting antenna, wherein the transmitter and receiver are separate and discrete units of the signaling device, the signaling device being configured to indicate the presence of a body fluid in the article, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal via the transmitting antenna;
• and
• maximizing the receivability of the signal by optimizing an aspect of the transmitter or the transmitting antenna, wherein the transmitter via the transmitting antenna transmits at a frequency between 1 GHz and 100 MHz.