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; b. a discrete strip of material disposed on an outer layer of the absorbent article for defining a pocket; and c. a multi-use sensor for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article and being configured for placement in and removal from the pocket; d. wherein the multi-use sensor comprises a water-tight housing to enable the multi-use sensor to be cleaned. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-use sensor comprises at least one of an inductive, capacitive, ultrasonic, optical, moisture, humidity, chemical, temperature, or electromagnetic sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-use sensor senses variations in temperature or variations in humidity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-use sensor senses ammonia or urea. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a color change material that reacts with urine or feces to change color and be detectable by the sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a substantially elongated and substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sensor has a substantially uniform width along an entire overall sensor length. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sensor has a varying width over all or part of its length. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a shape of a recognizable image. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the recognizable image comprises a letter, a number, or a word. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the recognizable image comprises a character, a face of an animal, a face of a person, a plant, or a car. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is deeper than the sensor is long. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein non-open edges of the strip are permanently joined to the absorbent article. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an open edge of the discrete strip is adjacent to an edge of a waist opening of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a graphic for indicating a proper location for the sensor on the absorbent article. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the graphic comprises a color that is different than an area surrounding the graphic. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket comprises hooks for closing. 
     
     
         18 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising: a. an absorbent article; b. a nonwoven strip of material disposed on an outer layer of the absorbent article for defining a pocket; and c. a multi-use sensor for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article and being configured for placement in and removal from the pocket; d. wherein the multi-use sensor comprises a sensor housing that is water-tight and capable of withstanding water temperatures greater than 185.degree. F. to enable the multi-use sensor to be washed. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the multi-use sensor senses variations in temperature or variations in humidity; and   the pocket is deeper than the sensor is long and comprises hooks for closing.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor has a shape of a recognizable image comprising a letter, a number, a word, a face of an animal, a face of a person, a plant, or a car.