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 reactant that changes color when contacted by urine, and a garment-facing layer comprising a combination of a film and non-woven fibrous material; and   b. a multi-use sensor system for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article, wherein the multi-use sensor system comprises:
 i. an optical sensor for measuring a change in color of the reactant; and 
 ii. a second sensor for detecting a vapor component associated with feces; 
   c. a non-woven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer for receiving the multi-use sensor system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a first sensing area and a second sensing area. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor is capable of sensing three or more sensing areas. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a graphic that is a target for placement of the multi-use sensor system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven strip comprises non-open edges permanently joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         7 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a reactant that changes color when contacted by urine, and a garment-facing layer comprising a combination of a film and non-woven fibrous material; and   b. a multi-use sensor system for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article, wherein the multi-use sensor system comprises:
 i. an optical sensor for measuring a change in color of the reactant at a first sensing area and a second sensing area; and 
 ii. a second sensor that operates based on oscillation; 
   c. a non-woven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer for receiving the multi-use sensor system.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a graphic that is a target for placement of the multi-use sensor system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the nonwoven strip comprises non-open edges permanently joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         11 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a reactant that changes color when contacted by urine, and a garment-facing layer comprising a combination of a film and non-woven fibrous material; and   b. a multi-use sensor system for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article, wherein the multi-use sensor system comprises:
 i. an optical sensor for measuring a change in color of the reactant; 
 ii. a second sensor for detecting a vapor component associated with feces; and 
 iii. a third sensor that operates based on oscillation; 
   c. a non-woven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer for receiving the multi-use sensor system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a first sensing area and a second sensing area. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the optical sensor is capable of sensing three or more sensing areas. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a graphic that is a target for placement of the multi-use sensor system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein an open edge of the nonwoven strip is refastenably joined to the garment-facing layer. 
     
     
         16 . A system for detecting a property associated with an absorbent article, the system comprising:
 a. an absorbent article comprising a reactant that changes color when contacted by urine, and a garment-facing layer comprising a combination of a film and non-woven fibrous material; and   b. a multi-use sensor system for detecting a property associated with the absorbent article, wherein the multi-use sensor system comprises:
 i. an optical sensor for measuring a change in color of the reactant; 
 ii. a second sensor for detecting a vapor component associated with feces; and 
 iii. at least one of a third sensor for measuring temperature and a fourth sensor for measuring humidity; 
   c. a non-woven strip joined to an exterior surface of the garment-facing layer for receiving the multi-use sensor system.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a first sensing area and a second sensing area. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the optical sensor is capable of sensing three or more sensing areas. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a graphic that is a target for placement of the multi-use sensor system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the multi-use sensor system further comprises a sensor that operates based on oscillation.