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 system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer comprising a film and a nonwoven fibrous material;   b. an additional nonwoven material disposed on an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer; and   c. a multi-use sensor for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article and being configured for temporary attachment to and removal from the absorbent article via use of the nonwoven strip.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-use sensor comprises an optical sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is a taped diaper. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the additional nonwoven material comprises an open edge refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a graphic for indicating a proper location for the sensor on the absorbent article. 
     
     
         6 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer comprising a film and a nonwoven fibrous material;   b. a pocket disposed on an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer; and   c. a multi-use sensor for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article and being configured for temporary association with the pocket.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pocket is defined by a nonwoven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is adjacent to an edge of a waist opening of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the nonwoven strip comprises non-open edges permanently joined to the absorbent article. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a graphic for indicating a proper location for the sensor on the absorbent article. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphic comprises a color that is different than an area surrounding the graphic. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-use sensor comprises an optical sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a garment-facing layer comprising a film and a nonwoven fibrous material;   b. a pocket formed with the garment-facing layer;   c. a multi-use sensor for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article and being configured for temporary association with the pocket; and   d. a graphic for locating the multi-use sensor on a desired location of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the multi-use sensor comprises an electromagnetic sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the pocket is defined by a nonwoven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is adjacent to an edge of a waist opening of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the graphic comprises a color that is different than an area surrounding the graphic.