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 comprising:
 a pair of underwear or panties comprising:
 a garment-facing layer; and 
 a wearer-facing layer; 
   a sensor for detecting a change of conditions of a biological marker or a chemical marker;   wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending stiffness of less than about 1000 N/m;   wherein the sensor is positioned on the underwear or the panties;   wherein the sensor comprises a device for sending a wireless signal; and   a remote receiver to record the wireless signal;   wherein the system is configured to predict upcoming events by comparing a series of events and conditions present at, during, or before the series of events, and by determining patterns in the conditions at, during, or before the series of events.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, a chemical sensor, or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a moisture sensor, a temperature sensor, or an electromagnetic sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to predict the upcoming events by comparing the series of events and the conditions present at, during, or before the series of events, and by determining patterns in the conditions at, during, or before the series of events. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a bending stiffness of less than about 600 N/m. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a bending stiffness of less than about 400 N/m. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a bending modulus of less than about 2.0E+09 N/m 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a pocket disposed on the underwear or the panties, wherein the sensor is configured for temporary association with the pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the pocket is disposed on the garment-facing layer of the underwear or panties. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a shear force between the underwear or the panties and the sensor is from about 10N to about 70N, or about 20N to about 60 N. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is reusable. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is washable and is configured to withstand temperatures greater than about 185 degrees F. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is removably positioned on the underwear or the panties by hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the underwear or the panties are durable and washable. 
     
     
         15 . A system for detecting a property, the system comprising:
 a pair of underwear or panties comprising:
 a garment-facing layer; and 
 a wearer-facing layer; 
   a sensor for detecting a change of conditions of a biological marker or a chemical marker;   wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending modulus of less than about 2.0E+09 N/m 2 ;   wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending stiffness of less than about 1000 N/m;   wherein the sensor is positioned on the underwear or the panties;   wherein the sensor comprises a device for sending a wireless signal; and   a remote receiver to record the wireless signal;   wherein the system is configured to predict upcoming events by comparing a series of events and conditions present at, during, or before the series of events, and by determining patterns in the conditions at, during, or before the series of events; and   wherein the sensor is reusable.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor has a dimension less than 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising a pocket disposed on the underwear or the panties, wherein the sensor is configured for temporary association with the pocket. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a pair of underwear or panties comprising:
 a garment-facing layer; and 
 a wearer-facing layer; 
   a sensor for detecting a change of conditions of a biological marker or a chemical marker;   wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending stiffness of less than about 600 N/m;   wherein the sensor is positioned on the underwear or the panties;   wherein the sensor comprises a device for sending a wireless signal; and   a remote receiver to record the wireless signal;   wherein the system is configured to predict upcoming events by comparing a series of events and conditions present at, during, or before the series of events, and by determining patterns in the conditions at, during, or before the series of events; and   wherein the sensor is washable and reusable.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, a chemical sensor or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor has a graspable area less than 10 mm, and wherein a portion of the sensor has a bending modulus of less than about 2.0E+09 N/m 2 .