GB2354867A

GB2354867A - Moisture indicator for sanitary articles

Info

Publication number: GB2354867A
Application number: GB9917546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sunil Vyas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-26
Filing date: 1999-07-26
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: GB9917546D0

Abstract

Indicator apparatus 10 for a sanitary article 7 comprises a housing 12 incorporating an audible signal transmitter 9,11,14, mounting means 16 to mount the housing 12 to the exterior of the sanitary article 7 - e.g. the rear top edge of the article - and a pair of spaced elongate, electrically conductive elements 15 for disposition within the sanitary article 7 and removably connected physically to the housing 12 and electrically to the signal transmitter 9,11,14. The signal transmitter 9,11,14 is responsive to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements 15 by moisture to emit an audible signal.

Description

2354867 -I- INDICATOR FOR SOILED SANITARY ARTICLES 5 DESCRIPTI Technical

Field This invention relates to an indicator for soiled sanitary articles comprising an absorbent pad, e.g. nappies (diapers), sanitary napkins for the absorption of menstrual emissions, incontinence pads, and the like.

Summary of the Inventio

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided indicator apparatus for a sanitary article comprising: a housing incorporating audible signal transmitter means, mounting means to mount the housing to the exterior of a sanitary article, and a pair of elongate, electrically conductive elements in spaced apart relation for disposition within the sanitary article and removably connected physically to the housing and electrically to the audible signal transmitter means, said signal transmitter means being in use responsive to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture and then to emit an audible signal.

By providing f or removable connection of the electrically conductive elements they may be readily removed, cleaned and dried for subsequent reuse with another (but clean) sanitary article that is provided in replacement of the soiled article or of another (and later) soiled such article. Even if the conductive elements are to be discarded after use, their removable connection permits of their being easily replaced by a new pair of like conductive elements.

The mounting means may comprise a clip to hook over the top edge of the sanitary article, e.g. at the rear, and/or may comprise a removable adhesive tape or a band forming one part of hook-and-loop fastening means (e.g. such as that known by the Trade Mark VELCRO) having its other part provided at the top of the sanitary article.

The pair of elements may depend from a rigid plug-like support of electrically non-conductive material, the support being shaped for co-operating engagement of a matingly shaped socket-like recess in the housing. Such a rigid support for the two elements permits their detachment from the housing as a pair. Preferably the plug and socket formation is of generally C-shaped form.

In an alternative arrangement each element is individually attachable and detachable from the housing.

Preferably, the elements are enclosed in a sheath of either porous material, e.g. a textile material, or (as is preferred) semi-permeable material. The latter permits moisture to seep through (for establishing electrical interconnection between the elements) but resists its seepage back where it may cause irritation to the skin of 5 the wearer.

Advantageously each element comprises a fine metal wire following a linear or a sinuous path. Alternatively each element may comprise a fine wire mesh or wire braid. Other material which effectively conducts electrical current may also be used.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sanitary article incorporating a pair of elongate, electrically conductive elements in spaced apart relation for disposition within the sanitary article, said elements being adapted for removable connection physically to a housing incorporating audible signal transmitter means and electrically to the said audible signal transmitter means to emit an audible signal in response to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture.

According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a sanitary article according to the last mentioned aspect of this invention, a housing incorporating audible signal transmitter means to emit in use an audible signal in response to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture, and mounting means to mount the housing to the exterior of the sanitary article.

Brief Description of the Dr

By way of example indicator apparatus according to one embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded partly-broken away, schematic view of parts of the embodiment of Fig 1 when disengaged, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another embodiment.

Detailed Description of Example(s) of the Invention

The illustrated indicator apparatus 10 is for a sanitary article in the form of a conventional infant's nappy (diaper) - part of which is shown in phantom outline in Figure 1 referenced 7. The apparatus 10 comprises a housing 12 incorporating a battery 11 providing power to an alarm circuit 9 including an audible signal transmitter in the form of a small buzzer or loudspeaker 14. A pair of elongate, electrically conductive elements 15 extend from housing 12 in spaced apart relation for disposition within the nappy, the elements 15 being removably connected physically to the housing 12 and electrically to the circuit 9 that includes the audible signal transmitter 14.

Each element 15 may comprise a f ine wire mesh or wire braid, or alternatively a fine metal wire f ollowing a linear or (as shown) a sinuous path.

The two elements 15 are enclosed in a sheath 13 either of a porous material, e.g. a textile material, or of a semipermeable material. A semipermeable material is likely to be preferred as it permits moisture to seep through (for establishing electrical interconnection between the elements 15) but resists its seepage back where such moisture may cause irritation to the skin of the wearer of the nappy.

The housing 12 has external mounting means 16 to mount it to the nappy exterior, e. g. the outer top edge of the rear of the nappy. The mounting means 16 may comprise a resilient clip (as shown) to hook over the top nappy edge, and/or may comprise either a removable adhesive tape to be adhered to both the nappy exterior and the housing 12, or a band forming one part of hook-and-loop fastening means (e.g. such as that known by the Trade Mark VELCRO) having its other part provided at the top of the nappy.

The pair of elements 15 depend f rom a rigid support part 18 of electrically non-conductive material. The support part 18 is shaped for co-operating engagement of a matingly shaped contact retainer part 19 in the exterior of the housing 12, the two parts 18,19 providing a snapfitting plug-and-socket formation of generally C-shaped form. The rigid support 18 for the two elements 15 permits of their detachment from the housing as a pair and of their reattachment as a pair to the housing and into the housing's electrical circuit 9.

In use, the signal transmitter 14 responds and emits an audible signal when an electrical path between the two elements 15 is established by moisture in the nappy (such as urine or the moisture content of faeces) By providing for removable connection of the electrically conductive elements 15 (with their sheath 13) they may be readily removed, cleaned and dried whilst the soiled nappy from which they were removed is either disposed of or is laundered. Subsequently, the cleaned and dried elements 15 may be re- connected to housing 12 for re-use with another (but clean) nappy that is provided in replacement either of the soiled nappy from which elements 15 were removed or of another (and later) soiled such nappy.

In an alternative arrangement the rigid support 18 is omitted and each element 15 is individually attachable and detachable from the housing 12. In another alternative arrangement, the rigid support 18 is replaced by a generally triangular part such as that referenced 7 in Fig 1 and this generally triangular part functions as a backing sheet for the elements 15 for disposition, as a composite whole, within a nappy interior. This backing may be double-layered and include one or more pockets that provide the sheaths 13 for the elements 15; and could be generally rectangular rather than triangular.

In another embodiment (shown in Fig 3) the nappy (referenced 7) is manufactured with a pair of elongate pockets 23 in its rear top portion, these pockets being of material similar to that described above f or sheaths 13. The pockets 23 receive electrical elements 25 similar to the elements 15 described above and similarly connectible to housing 20 and into its electric circuit for operating buzzer or loudspeaker 14. These elements may be discarded with the nappy when the latter is soiled or may be withdrawn (with their sheaths 13, if provided) from the elongate pockets 23 for cleaning and re-use.

other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention. For example the housing may additionally incorporate a light emitter to provide a visual indication of when the sanitary article being worn has become soiled.

Thus the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought. Such changes may be required where, as is contemplated by the present invention, it is applied to other sanitary articles comprising an absorbent pad, (not solely nappies or diapers) e.g. to articles such as incontinence pads, absorbent sheets for hospital bedding, sanitary napkins for the absorption of menstrual emission, and the like.

Claims

CLAIMS 5

1 Indicator apparatus for a sanitary article comprising:

a housing m'corporating audible signal transmitter means, mounting means to mount the housing to the exterior of a sanitary article, and a pair of elongate, electrically conductive elements in spaced apart relation for disposition within the sanitary article and removably connected physically to the housing and electrically to the audible signal transmitter means, said signal transmitter means being in use responsive to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture and then to emit an audible signal.

2. Indicator apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a clip to hook over the top edge of the sanitary article, e.g. at the rear.

3. Indicator apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a removable adhesive tape or a band forming one part of hook-and loop fastening means (e.g. such as that known by the Trade Mark VELCRO) having its other part provided at the top of the sanitary article.

4. Indicator apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein the pair of elements depend from a rigid plug-like support of electrically nonconductive material, the support being shaped for co-operating engagement of a matingly shaped socket-like recess in the housing.

5. Indicator apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the plug and socket formation is of generally C-shaped form.

6. Indicator apparatus according to any one of Claims I to 3, wherein each element is individually attachable and detachable from the housing.

7. Indicator apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the elements are enclosed in a sheath of porous material.

8. Indicator apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said sheath is of a textile material.

9. Indicator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the elements are enclosed in a sheath of a semi-permeable material.

10. Indicator apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein each element comprises a fine metal wire following a linear or a sinuous path. 15

11. Indicator apparatus according to any one of Claims I to 9, wherein each element comprises a fine wire mesh or wire braid.

12. A sanitary article incorporating a pair of elongate, electrically conductive 20 elements in spaced apart relation for disposition within the sanitary article, said elements being adapted for removable connection physically to a housing incorporating audible signal transmitter means and electrically to the said audible signal transmitter means to emit an audible signal in response to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture. 25

13. A sanitary article according to Claim 12 comprising a housing incorporating audible signal transmitter means to emit in use an audible signal in response to the establishment of an electrical path between the elements by moisture, and mounting means to mount the ho using to the exterior of the sanitary article. 30

14. Indicator apparatus for a sanitary article substantially as hereindescribed with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A sanitary article substantially as hereindescribed with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.