Absorbent articles including a body fluid signaling device
View Patent ↗Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.
1. An absorbent article for absorbing a liquid comprising:
a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover, the chassis including a crotch region positioned in between a front region and a back region, the front region and the back region defining a waist region therebetween;
a wicking layer positioned adjacent the outer cover, wherein at least a receptive portion of the wicking layer is in liquid communication with the absorbent structure;
a liquid barrier positioned between the absorbent structure and a diagnostic portion of the wicking layer, the diagnostic portion of the wicking layer being in liquid communication with the receptive portion of the wicking layer; and
an indicator material located on the wicking layer, the indicator material comprising a plurality of active constituents, wherein the active constituents move along the wicking layer at different speeds as the liquid moves through the wicking layer, and wherein the wicking layer has a vertical wicking speed of less than 0.5 cm/min.
2. The absorbent article of claim 1 further comprising a timing indicia positioned from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes from the indicator material based on the vertical wicking speed.
3. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the timing indicia is positioned on the outer cover.
4. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the timing indicia is positioned on the wicking layer.
5. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the timing indicia is positioned between the wicking layer and the outer cover.
6. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the indicator material is located on the diagnostic portion of the wicking layer.
7. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the plurality of constituents include a first active constituent of a first color and a second active constituent of a second color, the first color and the second color being different from one another.
8. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of active constituents does not move along the wicking layer when the liquid moves through the wicking layer.
9. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the plurality of active constituents comprises visible constituents.
10. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the plurality of active constituents comprises invisible constituents.
11. The absorbent article of claim 10 further comprising a signal material, wherein contact of the signal material with the invisible active constituent produces a visible change.
12. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein the visible change is an appearance of a color, a disappearance of a color, or a change of color.
13. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein the signal material is located on the outer cover, the liquid barrier, or the wicking layer.
14. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the outer cover adjacent the wicking layer is translucent or transparent.