Absorbent articles comprising sensors

Abstract

A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article may comprise an absorbent article and a sensor. The absorbent article may comprise a garment-facing layer and an absorbent assembly. The sensor may be disposed in and/or on the absorbent article. The sensor may be separable from the absorbent article. The sensor may be configured to sense a change in condition within the absorbent article.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable sensor for sensing and communicating an insult within a disposable absorbent article, the sensor comprising:
 a. a sensor housing configured for temporary association with a disposable absorbent article, the sensor housing comprising a mechanical fastener;   b. a power supply disposed within the sensor housing comprising a rechargeable battery;   c. a capacitive sensor disposed within the sensor housing; and   d. a wireless signal transmission device disposed within the sensor housing;   e. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a curved or angled part;   f. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a length greater than 3.0 inches; and   g. wherein the reusable sensor is configured for assessing a sensor area of the disposable absorbent article, the sensor area having a shape that is substantially elongated.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor area shape is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pair of electrodes that will be disposed on an exterior of a disposable absorbent article when the reusable sensor is attached thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein when the sensor is attached to a disposable absorbent article and urine and/or feces is loaded into the disposable absorbent article an amplitude or frequency aspect of a sensor output signal changes. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , comprising conductive material. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable sensor of  claim 5 , wherein the conductive material is selected from the group comprising carbon, electrically conductive plastic, conductive ink, conductive paper, and conductive foil. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable sensor comprises a width greater than 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable sensor comprises varying widths over all or part of its length. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable sensor has or comprises a portion having a bending stiffness of less than about 1000 N/m as determined by test method. ASTM D 790-03. 
     
     
         10 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable sensor has or comprises a portion having a bending stiffness of less than about 600 N/m as determined by test method. ASTM D 790-03. 
     
     
         11 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable sensor has or comprises a portion having a bending stiffness of less than about 400 N/m as determined by test method. ASTM D 790-03. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a shear force to remove the reusable sensor from a disposable absorbent article is from about 10 N to about 70 N. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a shear force to remove the reusable sensor from a disposable absorbent article is from about 20 N to about 60 N. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a pulling force to remove the reusable sensor from a disposable absorbent article is from about 25 N to about 500 N. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a pulling force to remove the reusable sensor from a disposable absorbent article is from about 50 N to about 250 N. 
     
     
         16 . A reusable sensor for sensing and communicating an insult within a disposable absorbent article, the sensor comprising:
 a. a sensor housing configured for temporary association with a disposable absorbent article;   b. a power supply disposed within the sensor housing comprising a rechargeable battery;   c. a capacitive sensor disposed within the sensor housing; and   d. a wireless signal transmission device disposed within the sensor housing;   e. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a curved or angled part;   f. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a length greater than 3.0 inches; and   g. wherein the reusable sensor comprises three or more sensing areas to assess different portions of a disposable absorbent article to which the reusable sensor is associated.   
     
     
         17 . The reusable sensor of  claim 16 , wherein the reusable sensor comprises a width greater than 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable sensor of  claim 17 , wherein the reusable sensor comprises varying widths over all or part of its length. 
     
     
         19 . A reusable sensor for sensing and communicating an insult within a disposable absorbent article, the sensor comprising:
 a. a sensor housing configured for temporary association with a disposable absorbent article;   b. a power supply disposed within the sensor housing;   c. a sensor disposed within the sensor housing; and   d. a wireless signal transmission device disposed within the sensor housing;   e. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a curved or angled part; and   f. wherein the reusable sensor comprises a first sensing area and a second sensing area comprising a dimension that is different than that of the first sensing area.   
     
     
         20 . The reusable sensor of  claim 19 , wherein the reusable sensor comprises a length greater than 3.0 inches.