ABSORBENT PRODUCTS WITH WETNESS SENSORS

• Main Authors: LONG ANDREW M, SONG XUEDONG, LEE WANDUK, GIL JUNMO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.03.2012
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

A sensor that is sensitive to the presence of aqueous-based fluids is described. The sensor has a wetness indicating material immobilized or printed on a substrate. The indicating material contains at least one electron-donating leuco dye and one electron deficient receptor, and exhibits a visual signal (e.g., vivid or strong color intensity) in a dry state, which fades or disappears when in contact with a water-containing liquid. An absorbent article incorporating such a sensor to communicate to a user that the article has been exposed to water-containing fluids is also described.