Leakage-signaling absorbent article
View Patent ↗An absorbent article for preventing leakage is provided, the article including an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter, and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element includes a dimension change member adapted to dimensionally change upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the absorbent article between an activated state and an un-activated state, thereby producing a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent article also provides an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element including a stored energy device and a dimension change member, the dimension change member disposed along a portion of the perimeter, wherein the dimension change member is adapted to break upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the leakage warning element from an un-activated state to an activated state.
1. An absorbent article for preventing leakage, the article comprising:
an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis and is centered between the intersections of the transverse axis and the assembly perimeter; and
a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element includes a dimension change member disposed only adjacent a portion of the perimeter and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and adapted to dimensionally change upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the absorbent article between an activated state and an un-activated state, thereby producing a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly.
2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the dimensional change is a breaking.
3. The article of claim 1 , wherein the dimensional change is a shortening.
4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the dimensional change member includes polyvinyl alcohol.
5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the activated state includes a translation of a portion of the absorbent article.
6. The article of claim 5 , wherein the portion of the absorbent article is a signaling flap.
7. The article of claim 5 , wherein the translation uncovers a signal material.
8. The article of claim 5 , wherein the signaling flap includes a signal material.
9. The article of claim 5 , further comprising a pocket, wherein the signaling flap is disposed within the pocket when the absorbent article is in the un-activated state.
10. The article of claim 9 , wherein the absorbent article further includes an extension, and wherein the pocket is disposed adjacent the extension.
11. The article of claim 1 , wherein the leakage warning element includes a stored energy device.
12. The article of claim 11 , wherein the stored energy device includes a spring.
13. The article of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent assembly has a lateral edge, and wherein the portion of the perimeter is the lateral edge.
14. The article of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent assembly has a longitudinal end, and wherein the portion of the perimeter is the longitudinal end.
15. The article of claim 1 , the absorbent assembly has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the leakage warning element is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis.
16. The article of claim 1 , the absorbent assembly has a transverse axis, and wherein the leakage warning element is spaced apart from the transverse axis.
17. The article of claim 1 , wherein the article is a garment-like article including leg openings, and wherein the leakage warning element is disposed adjacent the leg openings.
18. An absorbent article for signaling imminence of leakage from the absorbent article, the article comprising:
an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis and is centered between the intersections of the transverse axis and the assembly perimeter; and
a leakage warning element including a signaling flap and a dimension change member, the dimension change member spaced apart from the longitudinal axis and disposed only along a portion of the perimeter, wherein the dimension change member is adapted to shorten upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the leakage warning element from an un-activated state to an activated state, thereby producing a physical sensation indicating that leakage is imminent from the absorbent assembly.
19. The article of claim 18 , wherein the transition uncovers a signal material.