An intelligent absorbent article based on an inductive film and a built-in pocket and related devices

Abstract

The application provides a smart absorbent article based on a capacitive sensing film and a built-in pocket, which comprises a disposable absorbent article, a capacitive sensing film, a built-in pocket and a short circuit protection mechanism. The disposable absorbent article comprises a surface layer, an absorbent layer and a bottom film. The sensing film comprises a contact surface, a sensing surface, a dielectric layer and at least two sensing lines. The dielectric layer separates and insulates the sensing lines and the sensing surface. When the sensing surface is infiltrated by a liquid containing an electrolyte, the sensing lines can pass through the dielectric layer and realize the wetness detection function of the sensing surface in the form of electrolytic capacitor. The built-in pocket is used for inserting a sensor. The contact surface provides convenience for the face-to-face contact and electrical connection of the sensor and the sensing line. The short circuit protection mechanism is used for protecting the sensing line from the influence of the wetness inside and outside the disposable absorbent article. The application also provides a system device for realizing the wetness state monitoring of the smart absorbent article and two capacitive sensing films comprising built-in pockets and suitable for manufacturing the smart absorbent article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an absorbent product, and more particularly to a smart absorbent product and related device based on a capacitive sensing membrane and a built-in pocket. Background Technology

[0002] Disposable absorbent products, including diapers, pads, sanitary napkins, and incontinence pads, are disposable care products that should be changed as needed. Changing them too early or too frequently increases workload and wastes resources; changing them too late can cause leakage, and prolonged exposure to excrement can irritate the skin and lead to skin diseases. Therefore, there is a growing demand for intelligent disposable absorbent products that can detect moisture in real time and prompt a change at the appropriate time. This would be beneficial for the scientific use of these products.

[0003] In terms of existing technology, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN107174408B discloses an absorbent product and related methods. This method achieves accurate, reliable, and quantifiable urine wetness detection based on electrolytic capacitance by setting two sensing lines (flexible electrodes) on the outer surface of the diaper's bottom film. It is one of the most representative solutions in the prior art. In use, a sensor is attached to the outer surface of the diaper, then the sensor's snap is opened, and the probe is aligned with the sensing line of the diaper and clamped in place. This allows for connection with the sensing line and real-time detection of the diaper's wetness.

[0004] The main shortcomings of the existing technology mentioned above include: 1. The sensor lines are printed with carbon ink on the outer surface of the diaper's bottom film, which produces two black lines and affects the diaper's appearance. 2. The sensor lines on the outer surface of the diaper's bottom film are easily affected by external moisture; for example, touching the diaper with wet hands can cause false triggering. 3. The sensor is difficult to securely attach to the outside of the diaper. 4. The sensor requires a probe to pierce the outer non-woven fabric of the diaper to connect with the sensor lines, which can easily lead to poor contact. 5. Alignment between the sensor and the sensor lines relies on visual inspection and experience, which can easily cause misalignment and connection failure.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN1226855A discloses a moisture detection device for diapers and a diaper incorporating such a device. This device places a sensing wire inside the diaper and a storage pocket on the outer surface. The sensor is then fixed in place by the elasticity of the storage pocket. The sensor outside the diaper is capacitively coupled to the sensing wire inside the diaper to achieve moisture detection. Its main drawbacks include: 1. The sensor and sensing wire are not in face-to-face contact, making reliable electrical connection difficult. 2. The storage pocket and sensing wire are located on the inner and outer sides of the diaper, respectively, making misalignment easy. 3. The sensing wire detects wetness through contact with urine, which is a traditional resistive wetness alarm system and cannot achieve the accurate and reliable moisture detection function based on electrolytic capacitance. 4. The storage pocket outside the diaper cannot utilize the waist elasticity generated by the diaper when worn to fix the sensor, nor can it make the electrical connection between the sensor contacts and the sensing wire more reliable.

[0006] The shortcomings of these existing technologies all require new technological solutions to address. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is mainly the deficiency of the prior art mentioned in the background section. To solve these problems, the measures taken by this invention mainly include: 1. Placing the sensing wire inside the diaper to solve the problem of the sensing wire affecting the diaper's appearance and being affected by external moisture. 2. Establishing a short-circuit protection mechanism inside the diaper to protect the sensing wire from the influence of internal moisture and to achieve accurate, reliable, and quantifiable moisture detection based on electrolytic capacitance. 3. Providing a pocket inside the diaper to solve the problem of sensor fixation. 4. Ensuring face-to-face contact between the sensor's contacts and the sensing wire to solve the problem of reliable electrical connection. 5. Taking measures to ensure that the built-in pocket automatically centers and aligns with the sensing wire to ensure that the sensor is not misaligned when inserted into the pocket. 6. Providing a sensing film with a built-in pocket as a raw material for the production of smart diapers, facilitating mass production. 7. Providing a solution that utilizes the elasticity generated on the waistband when the diaper is worn to fix the sensor and make the electrical connection between the sensor and the sensing wire more reliable.

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides, on one hand, a smart absorbent product based on a capacitive sensing film and a built-in pocket, comprising a disposable absorbent product, a capacitive sensing film, a built-in pocket, and a short-circuit protection mechanism. The disposable absorbent product includes a top layer, an absorbent layer, and a bottom film. The sensing film includes a contact surface, a sensing surface, a dielectric layer, and at least two sensing lines. The outer surface of the dielectric layer constitutes the sensing surface. The dielectric layer separates and insulates the sensing lines from the sensing surface. When the sensing surface is wetted by a liquid containing an electrolyte, the sensing lines can pass through the dielectric layer and perform moisture detection on the sensing surface in an electrolytic capacitor manner. The built-in pocket is used to insert a sensor that performs moisture detection. The contact surface facilitates face-to-face contact and electrical connection between the sensor and the sensing lines. The short-circuit protection mechanism protects the sensing lines from moisture inside and outside the disposable absorbent product.

[0009] The sensing wire has at least a portion located within the contact surface and includes an exposed portion. The short-circuit protection mechanism includes a waterproof covering layer that covers the contact surface. The contact surface and the waterproof covering layer include separable portions that form a built-in pocket. The sensing surface faces the absorption layer, allowing the sensing wire to pass through the dielectric layer and achieve moisture detection of the absorption layer in the form of an electrolytic capacitor.

[0010] The sensing film includes a single-sided sensing film, the dielectric layer includes a plastic film substrate, the sensing wire is disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate and forms a contact surface, the other side of the plastic film substrate forms a sensing surface, the bottom film forms a waterproof covering layer, the contact surface faces the bottom film and includes a separable portion between the contact surface and the bottom film to form an internal pocket, an absorbent layer covers the sensing surface, a top layer covers the absorbent layer, and the portion of the top layer extending beyond the absorbent layer and the sensing surface is bonded to the bottom film, thereby fixing the internal pocket and ensuring its width is consistent with and centered on the sensing film; or

[0011] The sensing film includes a composite sensing film, the dielectric layer includes a plastic film substrate, the sensing wire is disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate and forms a contact surface, the other side of the plastic film substrate forms a sensing surface, the sensing film includes a contact area and a sensing area, the sensing area includes a waterproof protective layer and protects the sensing wire, the bottom film forms a waterproof covering layer, the contact surface and the waterproof protective layer face the bottom film, the absorbent layer covers the sensing surface, the top layer covers the absorbent layer, the portion of the top layer extending beyond the absorbent layer and the sensing surface is bonded to the bottom film, thereby fixing the internal pocket and making its width consistent with the sensing film and centered; or

[0012] The sensing film includes a composite sensing film, which comprises a plastic film substrate and a waterproof protective layer. Sensing lines are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate. The composite sensing film includes a contact area and a sensing area. The sensing area includes the waterproof protective layer, which faces the absorbent layer and forms a dielectric layer. The sensing film is located between the top layer and the bottom film, and includes portions that are bonded to the top layer, the waterproof covering layer, and the bottom film, thereby securing the internal pocket and ensuring its width matches and is centered on the sensing film; or

[0013] The sensing film includes a head-and-tail type internal pocket sensing film. The sensing film includes a plastic film substrate, sensing lines disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate, and a waterproof covering layer covering the sensing lines. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate include both adhesive and separable portions. The adhesive portion is located in the middle of the sensing film and forms the sensing area, while the separable portion is located at both ends of the sensing film and includes contact surfaces and forms an internal pocket. The outer surface of the plastic film substrate or the waterproof covering layer faces the absorbent layer, and its outer surface forms the sensing surface; or

[0014] The sensing membrane includes a through-hole internal pocket. The sensing membrane comprises a plastic film substrate. Sensing lines are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate and form a contact surface. The other side of the plastic film substrate faces the absorbent layer and forms a sensing surface. The plastic film substrate forms a dielectric layer. A waterproof covering layer covers the contact surface. The edges of the waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate include adhesive portions that form a boundary preventing liquid penetration. The hollow portion between the waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate forms a through-hole internal pocket; or

[0015] The sensing film includes a composite bottom film type sensing film, with sensing lines arranged on the outer surface of the bottom film to form a contact surface, and the inner surface of the bottom film facing the absorbent layer to form a sensing surface. The bottom film forms a dielectric layer, and the waterproof covering layer includes an integrally cut, perfectly intact outer non-woven fabric that covers the contact surface. The outer non-woven fabric and the bottom film include a separable, adhesive-free portion that forms an internal pocket; or

[0016] The sensing membrane includes a composite bottom membrane sensing membrane and an outer non-woven fabric. The sensing wire is set on the outer surface of the bottom membrane to form a contact surface, and the inner surface of the bottom membrane faces the absorbent layer to form a sensing surface. The bottom membrane forms a dielectric layer, and a waterproof covering layer covers the sensing wire. The outer non-woven fabric covers the waterproof covering layer, and the part of it that extends beyond the waterproof covering layer is bonded to the bottom membrane, thereby fixing the inner pocket and making its width consistent with the waterproof covering layer.

[0017] The disposable absorbent product includes a concealed opening in the interlayer seam at the front edge, leading to a built-in pocket for inserting a sensor to enable moisture detection; or

[0018] Each of the front and rear edges of the disposable absorbent material includes a concealed opening in the interlayer gap, each opening leading to a built-in pocket. The built-in pocket at the front edge is a functional pocket for inserting a sensor for moisture detection, while the built-in pocket at the rear edge is a redundant pocket, providing error redundancy for positioning and cutting during the production of the smart absorbent material; or

[0019] An opening is included on the outer surface of the disposable absorbent or on the inner surface of the front edge of the disposable absorbent, the opening leading to a built-in pocket for inserting a sensor to enable moisture detection.

[0020] The disposable absorbent product includes a front abdominal patch and left and right side patches, with at least a portion of the internal pocket located within the projected area of ​​the front abdominal patch. When the disposable absorbent product is worn, the elasticity generated around the waist converts into a force that presses the internal pocket against the user's front abdomen, thereby pressing the sensor inside the internal pocket and ensuring more reliable contact between the sensor's contacts and the sensing wire. When the disposable absorbent product is not worn, the force against the user's front abdomen automatically disappears, making the sensor easy to remove.

[0021] Disposable absorbent products include an elastic waistband with a built-in pocket. When the smart absorbent product is worn, the elasticity generated on the waistband is converted into a force that presses the built-in pocket against the user's body, thereby pressing the sensor inside the built-in pocket and making the contact between the sensor's contacts and the sensing wire more reliable.

[0022] The disposable absorbent products include diapers, diaper pads, sanitary napkins, or incontinence pads. The top layer includes hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, the absorbent layer includes a polymer absorbent material, the bottom film includes a breathable or non-breathable PE film, the sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink, metal lines or aluminum foil lines formed by physical vapor deposition, or copper foil lines, the plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP, or PET film, the waterproof covering layer includes plastic film, waterproof paper, or water-repellent nonwoven fabric, and the waterproof protective layer includes a polymer waterproof coating or a polymer waterproof composite layer; and

[0023] When the absorbent layer of a disposable absorbent is wetted by a liquid containing an electrolyte, the induction wire, the dielectric layer, and the liquid together constitute an electrolytic capacitor. The induction wire forms the electrodes of the electrolytic capacitor, the dielectric layer forms the dielectric of the electrolytic capacitor, and the liquid forms the electrolyte of the electrolytic capacitor. The degree of moisture of the disposable absorbent is directly proportional to the capacitance of the electrolytic capacitor. The capacitance is directly proportional to the area of ​​the liquid corresponding to the induction wire, directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer, and inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer.

[0024] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a capacitive sensing film suitable for manufacturing smart absorbent products, comprising a head-and-tail type internal pocket, including a plastic film substrate, a waterproof covering layer, and at least two sensing wires. The sensing wires are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate, and the waterproof covering layer covers the sensing wires. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate include both adhesive portions and separable portions. The adhesive portions constitute a short-circuit protection mechanism to prevent liquid penetration that could cause a short circuit in the sensing wires. The separable portions form a functional pocket and a redundant pocket at the head and tail positions of the sensing film, respectively. The sensing wires are exposed within the functional pockets and form contact surfaces for face-to-face contact with the contacts of a sensor inserted into the internal pockets and for establishing an electrical connection.

[0025] A plastic film substrate or waterproof covering layer constitutes a dielectric layer, and its outer surface forms a sensing surface. Sensing lines can pass through the dielectric layer and detect the moisture state of the sensing surface using an electrolytic capacitor. The detection sensitivity is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer and inversely proportional to its thickness.

[0026] The sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink, metal lines or aluminum foil lines formed by physical vapor deposition, and copper foil lines. The plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP or PET film. The waterproof covering layer includes plastic film, waterproof paper, water-repellent non-woven fabric or hot melt adhesive film.

[0027] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a capacitive sensing film suitable for manufacturing smart absorbent products, comprising a through-hole built-in pocket, including a plastic film substrate, a waterproof covering layer, and at least two sensing wires. The sensing wires are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate, and the waterproof covering layer covers the sensing wires and the plastic film substrate. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate have mutually bonded portions at their edges, thereby forming a boundary that prevents liquid penetration and constitutes a short-circuit protection mechanism, effectively protecting the sensing wires. The hollow portion between the waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate forms a through-hole built-in pocket, where the sensing wires are exposed and form a contact surface for face-to-face contact with the contacts of a sensor inserted into the built-in pocket and for establishing an electrical connection.

[0028] A plastic film substrate forms a dielectric layer, and its outer surface forms a sensing surface. Sensing lines can pass through the dielectric layer and detect the moisture state of the sensing surface using an electrolytic capacitor. The detection sensitivity is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer and inversely proportional to its thickness.

[0029] The two ends of the through-hole built-in pocket constitute a functional pocket and a redundant pocket, respectively. The sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink, metal lines or aluminum foil lines formed by physical vapor deposition, and copper foil lines. The plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP or PET film. The waterproof covering layer includes plastic film, waterproof paper, water-repellent non-woven fabric or hot melt adhesive film.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a system device for monitoring the moisture status of smart absorbent products, including a sensor smart absorbent product. The sensor includes at least two contacts for contacting and electrically connecting with a sensing wire inside a built-in pocket. The sensor also includes a capacitance detection device for realizing the moisture detection function of the disposable absorbent product through electrolytic capacitor.

[0031] The sensor includes at least three contacts, two of which constitute an insertion detection device. When the sensor is inserted into the built-in pocket and both contacts simultaneously touch the same sensing line, the insertion detection device is triggered and the sensor enters the working state. The sensor also includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wirelessly sending and receiving information about the moisture status of the disposable absorbent. The wireless receiver includes an audible or visual prompt device, a smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0032] The beneficial effects of this invention lie in solving all the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned in the background section, including: 1. Successfully placing the sensor wire inside the diaper, eliminating the influence of the sensor wire color on the diaper's appearance. 2. Providing short-circuit protection for the sensor wire, preventing it from being affected by moisture inside and outside the diaper. 3. The inner pocket of the diaper can more effectively accommodate and secure the sensor. 4. Achieving face-to-face contact between the sensor and the sensor wire, making the connection more reliable. 5. Achieving automatic centering and alignment between the built-in pocket and the sensor film, avoiding misalignment. 6. The sensor film can be used as a universal production material, offering wider versatility and convenience. 7. Ingeniously utilizing the elasticity generated on the waistband when the diaper is worn to secure the sensor and make the connection between the sensor and the sensor wire more reliable.

[0033] The technical solution of this invention effectively improves product reliability and ease of use, creating favorable conditions for the development and intelligent upgrading of the diaper industry. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a smart absorption product used in conjunction with a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a three-dimensional structural diagram and a cross-sectional structural diagram / equivalent circuit diagram of a single-sided sensing film suitable for use in an intelligent absorption product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of the A-A' and B-B' cross-sectional structure / equivalent circuit diagram of an intelligent absorbent product using a single-sided sensing film according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a smart absorption product using a single-sided sensing film and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram and a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram / equivalent circuit diagram of a composite sensing membrane suitable for use in an intelligent absorption product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the A-A' and B-B' cross-sectional structure / equivalent circuit diagram of an intelligent absorption product using a composite sensing membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a smart absorption product using a composite sensing film and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C This is a schematic diagram of the C-C' cross-sectional structure of a smart absorbent product using a composite sensing membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of the A-A' and B-B' cross-sectional structure / equivalent circuit diagram of an intelligent absorption product using a composite bottom membrane sensing membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 10A and Figure 10B A front view and a D-D' cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensing film including a head and tail-type built-in pocket, suitable for use in an intelligent absorbent product according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 11C A front view diagram, an E-E' cross-sectional view, and a positional relationship diagram of a capacitive sensing membrane including a through-hole built-in pocket, suitable for use in an intelligent absorbent product according to embodiments of the present invention, are shown.

[0046] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an intelligent absorbent product with an elastic waistband including a built-in pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an intelligent absorbent product according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a cut leading to a built-in pocket.

[0048] Figure 14 and Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a sensing membrane with a loop-shaped sensing line design and multiple sensing lines, suitable for use in smart absorbent products according to embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The following descriptions of the embodiments are with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. The directional and positional terms used in this invention, such as "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," and "side," are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings and are therefore intended to illustrate and understand the present invention, and not to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a smart absorbent product used in conjunction with a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Its appearance is almost identical to that of traditional disposable absorbent products. Disposable diapers are the most representative among disposable absorbent products. This embodiment of the present invention will primarily use diapers as an example for explanation. The description is also applicable to pull-up pants, training pants, developmental pants, diaper pads, sanitary napkins, maternity pads, and other disposable absorbent products. In most cases, the terms "diaper" and "disposable absorbent product" discussed in this embodiment of the present invention have the same meaning.

[0051] The intelligent absorbent product 10 of this invention is achieved by adding materials or devices that can sense (detect) urine moisture to the traditional diaper. These materials and devices make the diaper intelligent, and therefore it can be called an intelligent diaper. A diaper typically includes a bottom film (leak-proof layer), an absorbent layer (interlayer), a top layer (dry layer), and an outer non-woven fabric (composite layer). The bottom film typically includes a breathable or non-breathable polyethylene film (PE), the absorbent layer typically includes superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and wood pulp, the top layer typically includes a soft and comfortable hydrophilic non-woven fabric, and the outer non-woven fabric is usually laminated with the bottom film to form a composite bottom film, which gives the bottom film a better feel and increases its strength.

[0052] The front / front end 18 of a diaper can also be referred to as the front abdomen, front waist, or waistband, while the back / rear end 19 can also be referred to as the back, back waist, or waistband. Typical diapers may also include left and right tabs / adhesive / Velcro 16, 17, located on the left and right sides of the front abdomen of the diaper, which are attached to the front abdomen / front waist tab 25 during use to tighten the waistband and prevent the diaper from slipping down.

[0053] In terms of moisture detection, embodiments of the present invention primarily achieve this by incorporating a capacitive sensing membrane (hereinafter referred to as the sensing membrane) material containing detection electrodes inside the diaper. The sensing membrane includes at least two detection electrodes / flexible electrodes / wet sensing lines (collectively referred to as sensing lines). For example, in this embodiment, the sensing membrane 40 includes a first sensing line 21 and a second sensing line 22. The sensing lines typically start from the front edge of the diaper, traverse the absorbent layer 12 area (crotch area), and reach or approach the rear edge of the diaper to achieve moisture detection across the entire diaper. The smart absorbent product of this embodiment also includes a built-in pocket 26 below the front abdominal patch 25 to accommodate the sensor 30. At least a portion of the sensing membrane / sensor lines is located within this pocket to contact and electrically connect with the sensor inserted into the pocket.

[0054] The sensing film 40 and the built-in pocket 26 can be disposed between the bottom film and the top layer of the diaper, or between the bottom film and the outer non-woven fabric. In this embodiment, the gap in the interlayer at the front edge of the diaper serves as the opening for inserting the sensor into the built-in pocket 26. The sensor 30 in the figure includes two contacts 31 and 32, which respectively make face-to-face contact with the first and second sensing lines 21 and 22 exposed inside the built-in pocket and establish an electrical connection. It can detect the moisture state of the absorbent layer through electrolytic capacitance, thereby realizing the moisture detection function of the diaper.

[0055] The sensing membrane in this embodiment of the invention is a flexible film comprising two outer surfaces. The surface in contact with excrement / the liquid to be tested is called the sensing surface. The sensing membrane can also be divided into a contact area and a sensing area. The sensing area typically corresponds to the absorbent layer of the diaper and is mainly used to detect the wetness of the diaper. The contact area is mainly used to make contact with the sensor contacts and establish an electrical connection. The plane in contact with the sensor contacts is called the contact surface. At least a portion of the contact surface is located within the built-in pocket 26, and at least a portion of the sensing wire is exposed on the contact surface to establish an electrical connection with the sensor contacts.

[0056] In this embodiment of the invention, the sensing line is non-contact with the liquid being tested. The sensing line detects the moisture of the diaper through non-contact capacitive sensing (capacitive coupling). To prevent liquid from penetrating into the sensing line area, this embodiment also includes a short-circuit protection mechanism. This is to prevent the sensing line from short-circuiting upon contact with a liquid containing electrolytes, which could lead to detection failure or false triggering. Since the sensing film is located inside the diaper, the diaper of this embodiment appears no different from a traditional diaper from the outside, and the sensing film / sensing line has almost no impact on the appearance of the diaper. To illustrate the relationship between the sensing film, sensing line, contact surface, sensing surface, and the diaper's top layer, absorbent layer, bottom film, and outer non-woven fabric in this embodiment, some illustrations will be provided below. Figure 1 The A-A' and A-B' sections related to the illustrated embodiment are further explained.

[0057] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a three-dimensional structural diagram and a cross-sectional structural diagram / equivalent circuit diagram of a single-sided sensing film suitable for use in an intelligent absorbent product according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensing film 40 in this embodiment is a single-sided capacitive sensing film, which includes a thin film substrate 45 and a first sensing line 21 and a second sensing line 22 disposed on one side of the thin film substrate. The sensing lines pass through / through the thin film substrate 45 and detect the moisture state on the other side of the thin film substrate in the manner of an electrolytic capacitor.

[0058] The sensing lines in this embodiment of the invention typically include ink lines (conductive films) printed with conductive ink (e.g., carbon paste, silver paste), metal lines (metal films) deposited by physical vapor deposition (e.g., vacuum evaporation of aluminum), or aluminum foil lines, copper foil lines, etc. In this embodiment, the side of the thin film substrate 45 with the sensing lines is called the contact surface 61, and the other side is called the sensing surface 62. The thin film substrate 45 that separates and insulates the sensing lines from the sensing surface is called the dielectric layer. Commonly used thin film substrates include plastic films such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), CPP (cast polypropylene), BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene), and PET (polyester), and therefore can also be called plastic film substrates. Their thickness is generally between 5 micrometers and 50 micrometers.

[0059] When liquid containing electrolytes (such as urine containing salt, loose stool, sweat, menstrual blood, blood, etc., referred to as liquid) 14 accumulates on the sensing surface 62, the sensing wires 21 and 22 together with the liquid 14 and the plastic film substrate 45 form an electrolytic capacitor C1. The sensing wires 21 and 22 form the electrodes of C1, the plastic film substrate 45 forms the dielectric of C1, and the liquid 14 forms the electrolyte (electrolyte) of C1. The capacitance of C1 is inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric, directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric, and directly proportional to the area corresponding to the liquid and the electrode (sensing wire). By reading the capacitance value of C1, the quantitative (quantitative) moisture state of the sensing surface can be accurately determined.

[0060] It is important to note that the electrolytic capacitor in this embodiment of the invention is generated based on the conductivity of human excrement, which is fundamentally different from the dielectric capacitor generated by some existing technologies that treat urine as a non-conductive liquid with a high dielectric constant (e.g., 80). In fact, some dielectric capacitance unrelated to the electrolytic capacitor is also generated between the first and second sensing lines in this embodiment of the invention. However, these dielectric capacitances are much smaller than the electrolytic capacitor when the diaper is wet. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention ignores these dielectric capacitances and only discusses the electrolytic capacitor generated by the electrolyte liquid.

[0061] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This invention relates to an intelligent absorbent product employing a single-sided sensing film, as described in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The relevant A-A' cross-sectional structure diagram and B-B' cross-sectional structure diagram / equivalent circuit diagram are shown. In the diagram, the first and second sensing lines 21 and 22 are arranged on the plastic film substrate 45 to form a single-sided sensing film and are positioned between the diaper surface layer 11 and the bottom film 15. At the A-A' cross-section ( Figure 3A As can be seen in the image, the contact surface 61 faces the bottom film 15 and includes a separable portion between it and the bottom film, forming a built-in pocket 26. The sensor 30 can be disposed inside the built-in pocket 26, with its side including contacts 31 and 32 in close contact with the contact surface 61 and in face-to-face contact with the exposed sensing wires 21 and 22 on the contact surface, and thus establishing an electrical connection.

[0062] In this embodiment, the built-in pocket 26 is located near the front edge 18 of the diaper. Since there is no absorbent layer 12 at this location, the surface layer 11 is directly attached to the sensing surface 62. The portion of the surface layer 11 that extends beyond the sensing surface / sensing film is bonded to the bottom film 15 using adhesive 28 (including hot melt adhesive, structural adhesive, etc.) to form the bonding boundary of the built-in pocket 26. This not only prevents moisture from penetrating into the contact surface 61 and causing short circuits in the sensing lines 21 and 22, but also effectively fixes the sensing film and automatically keeps the width of the built-in pocket 26 consistent with the width of the plastic film substrate 45. It also ensures automatic centering and alignment between the sensing film and the built-in pocket, ensuring that the contacts 31 and 32 of the sensor inserted into the pocket can be aligned with the sensing lines 21 and 22 on the contact surface 61 and achieve a reliable electrical connection.

[0063] In this embodiment, the built-in pocket 26 is located below the front abdominal patch 25. At least a portion of the built-in pocket 26 lies within the orthographic projection range of the front abdominal patch 25. When the diaper is worn, the elasticity generated on its waistband can be converted into a force (a downward force in the figure) by the left and right patches 16 and 17, which presses the built-in pocket 26 against the user's abdomen. This also presses the sensor 30 inside the pocket firmly, making the contact between its contacts and the sensing wire more reliable. When the diaper is not worn, the force against the user's abdomen automatically disappears, making the sensor 30 easy to remove. This is a technical feature of this embodiment of the invention, which places the built-in pocket below the front abdominal patch. Pockets located on the outer surface of the diaper cannot achieve this.

[0064] At section B-B' ( Figure 3B As can be seen in the diagram, the absorbent layer 12 and the sensing surface 62 are attached together. The sensing lines 21 and 22 can detect the moisture 14 on the absorbent layer 12 through the plastic film substrate 45, which serves as the dielectric layer, and in the form of an electrolytic capacitor. This enables the moisture detection function for the absorbent layer of the diaper, and the degree of moisture is proportional to the electrolytic capacitance C1. Since there is no built-in pocket 26 in this cross-section, the contact surface 61 is bonded to the bottom film 15 by the adhesive 28. This effectively prevents moisture in the absorbent layer 12 from penetrating into the contact surface 61 and short-circuiting the sensing lines 21 and 22. In this embodiment, the bottom film 15 covers the entire contact surface 61 of the sensing film. Therefore, the bottom film 15 can be regarded as a waterproof covering layer and constitutes a component of the short-circuit protection mechanism of this embodiment of the invention.

[0065] Figure 4A and Figure 4BThis is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a smart absorbent product using a single-sided sensing film and a sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention. It includes a diaper, a single-sided sensing film 40, an internal pocket 26, and a short-circuit protection mechanism. The diaper includes a top layer 11, an absorbent layer 12, and a bottom film 15, which overlap because they are of the same size. The contact surface 61 of the sensing film 40 is in close contact with the bottom film 15, while the sensing surface 62 of the sensing film 40 faces the absorbent layer. The sensing lines 21 and 22 can detect the moisture state of the absorbent layer 12 via an electrolytic capacitor.

[0066] In this embodiment, the bottom film 15 serves as a waterproof covering layer to provide short-circuit protection for the sensing lines 21 and 22 on the contact surface 61. In addition, the contact surface 61 and the bottom film 15 each include a separable portion at the front and rear edges 18 and 19 of the diaper, forming built-in pockets 26 and 26'. The pocket 26 at the front edge 18 is a functional pocket used to insert the sensor and electrically connect the sensor's contacts to the sensing lines. The pocket 26' at the rear edge 19 is a redundant pocket, providing error redundancy for positioning and cutting during smart diaper production. During diaper production, each diaper is initially connected end-to-end. Only later in production are adjacent diapers cut to obtain individual finished diapers. The original built-in pocket is divided into two parts, located at the front and rear edges of the diaper, forming pockets 26 and 26' respectively.

[0067] exist Figure 4A In the illustrated embodiment, there are no sensing lines within the redundant pocket 26'. This ensures that even if liquid soaks into the redundant pocket 26', it will not affect the normal operation of the sensing lines 21 and 22, which can also be considered part of the short-circuit protection mechanism. Since the sensing lines are asymmetrical, the sensing film 40 also includes a color positioning mark (color mark) 42 to ensure the sensing film is placed correctly on the diaper. As for... Figure 4B The sensing film in the illustrated embodiment is completely symmetrical. In this case, there is no need for positioning. The sensing film can be placed on a specific layer inside the diaper for use. This symmetrical structure increases the versatility and convenience of the sensing film and can be adapted to the production of smart diapers of different lengths.

[0068] In the production process of smart diapers, the sensing film 40 is typically first attached to the bottom film 15, then the absorbent layer 12 is covered and bonded to the sensing film 40, and finally the top layer 11 is covered and bonded to the absorbent layer 12. The top layer extending beyond the absorbent layer 12 is directly bonded to the bottom film 15. All these bonding processes create an adhesive boundary that prevents moisture from penetrating the absorbent layer. For example, in... Figure 4AThe intermediate adhesive region 28 / 28' is formed between the absorber layer 12 and the base film 15, forming an adhesive boundary on each side of the sensing film 40. For example, in... Figure 4B The middle adhesive area 28 / 28' is formed by bonding the edges of the sensing film to the bottom film 15. In addition to forming adhesive boundaries on both sides of the sensing film, it also forms a separable hollow part without adhesive between the contact surface 61 and the bottom film 15. This hollow part forms a connected built-in pocket, which forms a functional pocket 26 and a redundant pocket 26' at the front and rear ends of the diaper, respectively.

[0069] In practical applications, the sensing film in areas outside the built-in pockets 26 / 26' (e.g., the area from 41 to 41') can also be bonded to the bottom film 15. This bonding provides more effective protection for the sensing wires 21 and 22. In this embodiment, if sensing wires are present within the built-in pocket, they form a contact area for contact with the contacts of the inserted sensor and for establishing an electrical connection; while if sensing wires are present outside the built-in pocket (e.g., the area outside the built-in pocket), they form a contact area for contact with the contacts of the inserted sensor and for establishing an electrical connection. Figure 4B The area from 41' to 41' in the middle can form the sensing area, which is mainly used to detect moisture in the absorbent layer of the diaper.

[0070] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a three-dimensional structural diagram and a cross-sectional structural diagram / equivalent circuit diagram of a composite sensing film suitable for use in an intelligent absorbent product according to an embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the aforementioned single-sided sensing film, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the sensing lines are located within a waterproof interlayer composed of two waterproof materials, forming a composite film; therefore, it can be called a composite capacitive sensing film. For example, in this embodiment, in addition to the plastic film substrate 45 and the first and second sensing lines 21 and 22, a waterproof protective layer 46 is also included. This layer covers the sensing lines 21 and 22 and, together with the plastic film substrate 45, forms a waterproof interlayer that holds the sensing lines within it. The waterproof protective layer 46 of this embodiment includes a polymer waterproof coating or a polymer waterproof composite layer / covering layer.

[0071] The area 47, where the sensing line is covered from both the top and bottom by the plastic film substrate 45 and the waterproof protective layer 46, is the sensing area of ​​the sensing film. The sensing line can detect moisture on its outer surface 62 through the plastic film substrate 45 and on its outer surface 63 through the waterproof protective layer 46. Therefore, the composite sensing film of this embodiment has dual-sided detection capability. In practical applications, the side facing the absorption layer is usually regarded as the sensing surface, and the material that separates and insulates the sensing line from the sensing surface is regarded as the dielectric layer.

[0072] When liquid 14A containing electrolyte accumulates on sensing surface 62, an electrolytic capacitor C1 is generated between sensing lines 21 and 22. Its capacitance is inversely proportional to the thickness of the plastic film substrate 45, directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the plastic film substrate 45, and directly proportional to the area of ​​liquid 14A corresponding to the electrode (sensing line). Similarly, when liquid 14B containing electrolyte accumulates on sensing surface 63, an electrolytic capacitor C2 is generated between sensing lines 21 and 22. Its capacitance is inversely proportional to the thickness of the waterproof protective layer 46, directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the waterproof protective layer 46, and directly proportional to the area of ​​liquid 14B corresponding to the electrode (sensing line).

[0073] In this embodiment, the area 43 on the sensing line without the waterproof protective layer 46 is the contact area of ​​the sensing film. The sensing lines 21 and 22 are exposed in the contact area 43 and form a contact surface 61, which can be used to make face-to-face contact with the sensor's contacts and establish an electrical connection. In this embodiment, the contact surface 61 and the sensing surface 63 are oriented in the same direction. Since the waterproof protective layer 46 is very thin, it can be considered that the contact surface 61 and the sensing surface 63 are on the same plane, only differing in position / area.

[0074] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This invention relates to an intelligent absorption product employing a composite sensing membrane, as described in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The relevant A-A' cross-sectional structure diagram and B-B' cross-sectional structure diagram / equivalent circuit diagram are shown. The sensing film in the figure includes components such as plastic film substrate 45, contact surface 61, sensing surface 62, waterproof protective layer 46, sensing surface 63, first sensing line 21 and second sensing line 22.

[0075] At section AA ( Figure 6A As can be seen from the diagram, this embodiment also includes a waterproof covering layer 24, which covers the contact area of ​​the sensing film and corresponds to the contact surface 61 of the sensing film. A separable portion is included between the contact surface 61 and the waterproof covering layer 24, forming a built-in pocket 26. To prevent moisture in the absorbent layer 12 from entering the built-in pocket 26 and short-circuiting the sensing wires 21 and 22, the waterproof covering layer 24 needs to have good waterproof performance. It is typically constructed from materials such as plastic film, waterproof paper, or water-repellent non-woven fabric. The width of the waterproof covering layer 24 is generally not less than the plastic film substrate 45 so that the entire contact surface 61 can be effectively covered.

[0076] The surface layer 11 covers the waterproof cover layer 24, and the portion of the surface layer 11 that extends beyond the waterproof cover layer 24 is bonded to the bottom film 15 by adhesive 28. The portion of the waterproof cover layer 24 that extends beyond the plastic film substrate 45 in width is also bonded to the bottom film 15. All these bonds not only create a boundary that prevents moisture from penetrating, but also automatically keep the width of the built-in pocket 26 consistent with and centered with the width of the sensing film / plastic film substrate 45. This is a technical feature and beneficial effect of the embodiment of the present invention that uses a sensing film to generate the built-in pocket.

[0077] In this embodiment, the outer surface 62 of the plastic film substrate 45 faces the bottom film 15. Since there is no liquid between the plastic film substrate 45 and the bottom film 15, the plastic film substrate 45 mainly serves to support and protect the sensing wire in this embodiment. At the B-B' section ( Figure 6B As can be seen in the image, the absorbent layer 12 covers the waterproof protective layer 46, and the portion extending beyond the waterproof protective layer 46 in width adheres to the bottom film 15. The outer surface 63 of the waterproof protective layer 46 faces the absorbent layer and forms the sensing surface. Therefore, in this embodiment, the waterproof protective layer 46 acts as a dielectric layer that separates and insulates the sensing wire from the sensing surface. The sensing wire passes through the waterproof protective layer 46 and detects the moisture in the absorbent layer 12 in the form of an electrolytic capacitor, thus realizing the moisture detection function for the absorbent layer of the diaper.

[0078] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a smart absorbent product using a composite sensing film and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. It includes components such as a diaper, a composite sensing film 40, an internal pocket 26, and a short-circuit protection mechanism. The diaper includes a top layer 11, an absorbent layer 12, and a bottom film 15. The sensing film 40 includes first and second sensing lines 21 and 22. The portion of the sensing film not covered by the waterproof covering layer 24 / 24' constitutes the sensing area. The side of the sensing area facing the absorbent layer 12 constitutes the sensing surface. The top layer 11 and the bottom film 15 cover the sensing film 40 and the absorbent layer 12 from top to bottom. The sensing lines 21 and 22 can detect the moisture status of the absorbent layer 12 of the diaper through the sensing surface of the sensing film 40.

[0079] A waterproof cover layer 24 / 24' covers the contact surface of the sensing film. It includes separable portions that form a functional pocket 26 and a redundant pocket 26'. The functional pocket 26 is located at the front end of the diaper, with its opening flush with the front edge 18. The sensor 30 can be inserted through this opening. Sensor contacts 31 and 33 are electrically connected to the sensing line 21, while sensor contacts 32 and 34 are electrically connected to the sensing line 22. The redundant pocket 26' is located at the rear edge 19 of the diaper, primarily providing redundancy for cutting errors. The positioning mark 42 provides positioning for the production of the smart diaper. The portion of the waterproof cover layer 24 / 24' extending beyond the contact surface adheres to the bottom film 15, forming a boundary that prevents moisture from penetrating the absorbent layer, as shown in the shaded area in the figure.

[0080] In this embodiment, contacts 31 and 33 (or contacts 32 and 34) can constitute an insertion detection device. When the sensor 30 is inserted into the built-in pocket 26 and both contacts simultaneously contact the same sensing line, the insertion detection device can be triggered and the sensor can enter the working state. When the sensor 30 is taken out of the pocket 26, the insertion detection device can be blocked, and the sensor can enter the sleep / shutdown state to save power.

[0081] Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C This invention relates to an intelligent absorption product employing a composite sensing membrane, as described in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The related C-C' cross-sectional diagram illustrates some specific examples of the composite sensing film applied in smart diapers. The diagram includes a diaper consisting of a top layer 11, an absorbent layer 12, and a bottom film 15, as well as a composite sensing film 40 disposed within the diaper. The sensing film includes a plastic film substrate 45 and a waterproof protective layer 46, forming a waterproof interlayer that protects the sensing wires 21 and 22. The sensing wires can use the plastic film substrate 45 or the waterproof protective layer 46 as a dielectric layer and detect the moisture state of the absorbent layer 12 using an electrolytic capacitor method.

[0082] Since there is no waterproof protective layer 46 on the contact surface 61 of the sensing membrane, the sensing wire is exposed on the contact surface. To protect the sensing wire, a waterproof covering layer 24 can be placed over the contact surface 61, with a separable portion between the two forming a built-in pocket 26 (e.g., Figure 8A , Figure 8B As shown in the figure, at this time, the waterproof covering layer 24 serves to prevent moisture in the absorption layer 12 from penetrating to the contact surface 61 and constitutes the short-circuit protection mechanism of this embodiment of the invention.

[0083] In practical applications, the sensing film 40 can be disposed between the bottom film 15 and the absorption layer 12 (e.g., Figure 8A , Figure 8C As shown), it can also be disposed between the surface layer 11 and the absorption layer 12 (as shown). Figure 8B (as shown); at the same time, the outer surface 63 of the waterproof protective layer 46 can face the absorption layer 12 to form a sensing surface (as shown). Figure 8A , Figure 8B As shown), the outer surface 62 of the plastic film substrate 45 can be oriented towards the absorption layer to form a sensing surface (e.g., Figure 8C (As shown). In addition to using a waterproof covering layer 24 to cover the contact surface 61 to form a built-in pocket 26 (as shown). Figure 8A , Figure 8B (As shown), the bottom film 15 of the diaper can also be used as a waterproof covering layer to cover the contact surface 61, and a separable portion is included between the bottom film 15 and the contact surface 61 to form a built-in pocket 26 (as shown). Figure 8C (As shown).

[0084] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This invention relates to an intelligent absorption product employing a composite bottom membrane sensing membrane, as described in this embodiment. Figure 1 Related A-A' cross-sectional structural diagrams and B-B' cross-sectional structural diagrams / equivalent circuit diagrams are provided. Unlike the other embodiments mentioned above where the sensing lines are placed between the bottom film and the top layer of the diaper, in this embodiment, the sensing lines 21 and 22 are placed on the outer surface of the bottom film 15 (facing away from the absorbent layer). To protect the sensing lines, this embodiment covers the outer surface of the bottom film 15 with an outer non-woven fabric 13, thus the outer non-woven fabric 13 acts as a waterproof covering layer. The outer non-woven fabric 13 is also bonded to the bottom film 15 with an adhesive to form a composite bottom film. Therefore, the sensing film of this embodiment can be called a composite bottom film type sensing film.

[0085] In order to accurately control the size of the internal pocket 26, in section AA ( Figure 9A As can be seen in the diagram, an additional waterproof covering layer 64 is also included between the bottom film 15 and the outer non-woven fabric 13. In the actual production process of smart diapers, the sensing lines 21 and 22 are first printed on the outer surface of the bottom film 15 to form a contact surface 61. Then, the waterproof covering layer 64 is attached to the sensing lines 21 and 22. There is a separable part between the waterproof covering layer 64 and the contact surface 61, which forms an internal pocket 26. Then, the outer non-woven fabric 13 is covered on the waterproof covering layer 64 and bonded to it with adhesive 28. The part of the outer non-woven fabric 13 that extends beyond the waterproof covering layer 64 is bonded to the bottom film 15. This not only forms a boundary to prevent liquid penetration and constitutes a short-circuit protection mechanism, but also allows the width of the internal pocket 26 to automatically match the width of the waterproof covering layer 64.

[0086] The waterproof cover layer 64 in this embodiment is optional. If the waterproof cover layer 64 is not used, a non-adhesive area needs to be created between the outer nonwoven fabric 13 and the bottom film 15 through a localized adhesive spraying process during diaper production to form a separable part, thereby constituting the built-in pocket 26. In this case, the outer nonwoven fabric 13 can be regarded as a waterproof cover layer and acts as a short-circuit protection mechanism. It should be noted that the localized adhesive spraying process usually has a certain degree of dispersion, and the size of the resulting built-in pocket may have some errors, but it is perfectly acceptable when the requirements are not high.

[0087] In this embodiment, the side of the bottom film 15 without sensing lines (inner surface 62) faces the absorbent layer and acts as the sensing surface. The bottom film 15 itself acts as a dielectric layer that separates and insulates the sensing lines 21, 22 from the sensing surface 62. When the absorbent layer 12 contains liquid 14 containing electrolyte, the liquid 14, together with the dielectric layer 15 and the sensing lines (electrodes) 21, 22, forms an electrolytic capacitor C1. By detecting the value of C1, the moisture state of the sensing surface can be determined, thereby realizing the function of detecting the moisture state of the absorbent layer of the diaper.

[0088] In this embodiment, the outer nonwoven fabric 13 can be a seamless, one-piece cut nonwoven fabric, such as composite nonwoven fabric, hydrophobic nonwoven fabric, or water-repellent nonwoven fabric. The internal pocket 26 can be located at the front end of the diaper and extend to the edge, thus creating an invisible opening at the front edge. The sensor 30 can be inserted into the internal pocket 26 through this invisible opening. In this embodiment, because the outer nonwoven fabric 13 and the waterproof covering layer 64 cover the sensor lines 21 and 22, the influence of the sensor line color on the diaper's appearance can be reduced or eliminated. Simultaneously, the influence of external moisture on the sensor lines can be eliminated, thus avoiding false alarms.

[0089] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This diagram shows a front view and a corresponding D-D' cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensing film with built-in head and tail pockets, suitable for use in smart absorbent products according to embodiments of the present invention. In the aforementioned embodiments, the sensing film itself does not have a pocket and needs to be combined with other materials, such as a waterproof covering layer 24, a bottom film 15, or an outer non-woven fabric 13, to form a built-in pocket. In this embodiment, a waterproof covering layer is pre-integrated into the sensing film, forming a sensing film with a built-in pocket and short-circuit protection mechanism, which facilitates the application of the sensing film and the production of smart diapers.

[0090] The sensing film 40 in this embodiment includes a plastic film substrate 45, sensing lines 21 / 22 disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate, and a waterproof covering layer 64 covering the sensing lines, which completely protects the sensing lines 21 and 22. The waterproof covering layer 64 and the plastic film substrate 45 include both an adhesive portion (the middle section) and a separable portion (both ends). The separable portion at the front edge 68 forms a functional pocket 26, while the separable portion at the rear edge 69 of the sensing film forms a redundant pocket 26'. The sensing lines 21 and 22 are exposed in these two pockets, and the plane on which they lie forms a contact surface 61 for contacting the contacts of the sensor inserted into the pocket and establishing an electrical connection. The corresponding area also forms the contact area of ​​the sensing film.

[0091] From the bottom edge 66 of pocket 26 to the bottom edge 66' of pocket 26', the waterproof covering layer 64 is bonded to the plastic film substrate 45, forming part of the short-circuit protection mechanism and constituting the sensing area of ​​the sensing film. This area can be used to detect the moisture state on the outer surface 62 of the plastic film substrate 45 or the outer surface 63 of the waterproof covering layer 64. This embodiment also includes a breakpoint 65, which prevents the ends of the sensing lines 21 and 22 from being connected, thus preventing short circuits in the sensing lines of the redundant pocket 26' from affecting the operation of the sensing lines of the functional pocket 26. Additionally, the breakpoint 65 can also be used as a positioning mark, helping to place the sensing film in the appropriate position on the diaper.

[0092] When the sensing film is placed inside a diaper, its front edge 68 is usually flush with the front edge 18 of the diaper, and the sensing area corresponds to the absorbent layer of the diaper. In this embodiment, the plastic film substrate 45 can be arranged to form a dielectric layer facing the absorbent layer, with its outer surface 62 forming the sensing surface; alternatively, the waterproof cover layer 64 can be arranged to form a dielectric layer facing the absorbent layer, with its outer surface 63 forming the sensing surface. The sensing lines 21 and 22 can detect the moisture state of the absorbent layer corresponding to the sensing surface through the corresponding dielectric layer and in an electrolytic capacitance manner. The detection sensitivity (the ability to generate electrolytic capacitance) is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer and inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer.

[0093] Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 11C This diagram illustrates the front view of a capacitive sensing membrane with a through-hole internal pocket, a corresponding E-E' cross-sectional view, and the positional relationship of the sensor during insertion, for use in a smart absorbent product suitable for embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10A and Figure 10BUnlike the embodiment shown where bonding occurs in the middle section of the sensing membrane, in this embodiment, the plastic film substrate 45 and the waterproof covering layer 64 are bonded at their edges, forming bonding areas 28 and 28' respectively. These can be achieved using adhesive bonding or hot-press bonding. When hot-press bonding is chosen, hot melt adhesive films such as EVA, TPU, PES, and PVC can be used as the waterproof covering layer. In this embodiment, bonding at the edges of the sensing membrane creates a boundary that prevents liquid penetration and constitutes a short-circuit protection mechanism, effectively protecting the sensing lines 21 and 22. The hollow portion forms a through-hole, built-in pocket. This through-hole also forms an open pocket at each end of the sensing membrane, namely a functional pocket 26 and a redundant pocket 26'.

[0094] In this embodiment, the side of the plastic film substrate 45 with the sensing lines 21 and 22 is the contact surface 61, and the other side of the plastic film substrate 45 without sensing lines is the sensing surface 62. The plastic film substrate 45 forms a dielectric layer, and the sensing lines 21 and 22 detect the moisture state on the sensing surface 62 by means of electrolytic capacitance through the dielectric layer 45. In this embodiment, the sensing film does not distinguish between the sensing area and the contact area, or in other words, any segment of the sensing film simultaneously includes both the sensing area and the contact area. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the waterproof covering layer 64 serves only as a protective layer for the sensing lines and is not used as a dielectric layer. The sensing film of this embodiment has a built-in pocket and a short-circuit protection mechanism, and can be easily installed on any layer of the diaper, simply by facing its sensing surface 62 toward the absorbent layer 12 of the diaper. At the same time, since the sensing film of this embodiment is completely symmetrical, it does not require positioning during the production process of smart absorbent products. These features make it more versatile and convenient in application.

[0095] The sensing film of this embodiment can be cut to any length for use. For example, it can be the same length as the diaper, with its front edge 68 flush with the front edge 18 of the diaper. Alternatively, it can be longer than the diaper, with its front edge 68 protruding from the front edge 18 of the diaper, through which the sensor can be inserted. For ease of production, the sensing film can also be packaged into a large roll, with each roll capable of producing thousands of smart diapers, making the sensing film a universal raw material for smart diaper production.

[0096] Since the pocket in this embodiment is a through pocket, in order to fix the sensor in the pocket, the following can be used: Figure 11CThe sensor design shown is a flip-top. The sensor 30 in the figure includes an insertion part 301 and a flip-top 302, which are hinged together by a hinge 303. In use, the flip-top 302 is first opened, then the insertion part 301 is inserted into the built-in pocket 26, so that the contacts 31 / 32 and the sensing wires 21 / 22 are in face-to-face contact. Then, the flip-top 302 is closed to clamp the plastic film substrate 45. This not only makes the contact between the sensor's contacts and the sensing wires more reliable, but also prevents the sensor from slipping out of the pocket and into a deeper position. This sensor design is suitable not only for this embodiment but also for other embodiments of the invention.

[0097] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the intelligent absorbent product of the present invention, showing the elastic waistband including a built-in pocket. Unlike the diapers of other embodiments described above, the diaper of this embodiment is a pant-style diaper including an elastic waistband 27, such as pull-up pants, training pants, or training pants. The built-in pocket 26 is disposed within the interlayer of the elastic waistband 27. When the diaper is worn, the elastic force generated on its elastic waistband can be converted into a vertical force pressing the built-in pocket 26 against the user's body, effectively pressing and fixing the sensor 30 inside the pocket 26, and making the contact between the contacts of the sensor 30 and the sensing lines 21 and 22 on the contact surface of the sensing membrane 40 more reliable.

[0098] In this embodiment, the sensing area of ​​the sensing film 40 corresponds to the absorbent layer 12 of the diaper, while the contact area of ​​the sensing film 40 is located within the built-in pocket 26 of the elastic waistband of the diaper. That is to say, the two are separated from each other in position, which can further prevent moisture from the absorbent layer 12 from penetrating into the contact area and causing a short circuit in the sensing wire. This can also be regarded as a short circuit protection mechanism. The sensing film 40 can adopt any of the aforementioned embodiments. The built-in pocket 26 can extend to the edge of the diaper waistband and include an opening in the interlayer gap at the edge leading to the built-in pocket so that the sensor 30 for performing moisture detection can be inserted through the opening.

[0099] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a smart absorbent product according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a cut leading to a built-in pocket. In the aforementioned embodiments, the opening of the functional pocket 26 is generally located at the front edge of the diaper, and it utilizes the gap between the contact surface 61 of the sensing film and the bottom film 15 or the waterproof covering layer 24 / 64 as a concealed opening. In practical applications, the sensor can also be inserted into the built-in pocket by making a cut on the outer or inner surface of the diaper.

[0100] The smart diaper 10 of this embodiment includes a top layer 11, an absorbent layer 12, a bottom film 15, a sensor film 40, and a waterproof covering layer 24. The sensor film includes sensor lines 21 and 22, and the contact surface of the sensor film 40 and the waterproof covering layer or bottom film include a separable portion to form an internal pocket 26. A cut 23 is also included on the outer surface of the diaper or on the inner surface at the front edge. The cut 23 leads to the internal pocket 26, and the sensor 30 can be inserted into the internal pocket 26 for use through the cut 23.

[0101] Figure 14 and Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance structure of a sensor film with a loop-shaped sensor line design and multiple sensor lines, suitable for use in smart absorbent products according to embodiments of the present invention. The sensor film 40 in the figure includes a contact area 43, a sensing area 47, and a redundant area 48. In application, the contact area 43 corresponds to the front edge of the diaper, includes exposed sensor lines and forms a contact surface, where a functional pocket can be created for contact and electrical connection with the contacts of an inserted sensor. The redundant area 48 corresponds to the rear edge of the diaper, where a redundant pocket can be created and redundancy can be provided for diaper cutting. The sensing area 47 corresponds to the crotch area of ​​the diaper and is used to detect the moisture status of the diaper's absorbent layer.

[0102] exist Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing area 47 includes a loop-shaped sensing line design, comprising six sensing lines from top to bottom. Odd-numbered sensing lines connect to sensing line 22, and even-numbered sensing lines connect to sensing line 21. This method effectively expands the coverage area and detection range of the sensing area 47. Figure 15 The sensing area 47 in the illustrated embodiment includes seven parallel sensing lines (from 51 to 57). This design effectively expands the coverage of the sensing lines and provides more information on the moisture status at different locations. It should be noted that the pattern of these sensing lines in this embodiment is asymmetrical. In order to ensure that the sensing film can be accurately embedded in a specific position on the diaper, positioning marks 42 are also included on the sensing film 40.

[0103] In addition, the sensing film of this invention can have more structural forms and more sensing line pattern designs, and can be modified according to actual needs based on the aforementioned embodiments. Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, the built-in pocket is located on the front front of the diaper. In practical applications, it can also be placed in other locations on the diaper, such as the crotch, back, or side, as long as the sensing film / sensing line passes through these areas.

[0104] Because the smart absorbent product 10 of this embodiment has an intelligent moisture detection function, a smart moisture monitoring system can be formed simply by inserting a sensor 30 into the built-in pocket 26. In such a monitoring system, the sensor includes at least two contacts for contacting and electrically connecting with the first and second sensing lines. The sensor also includes a capacitance detection device to detect the moisture status of the absorbent product via electrolytic capacitance. In practical applications, the sensor preferably has four or more contacts, where two contacts can form an insertion detection device. The sensor may also include a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver may be provided to accompany it, so that the moisture status information of the absorbent product can be sent and received wirelessly. The wireless receiver typically includes an audible and visual alarm device, a smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0105] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart absorbent product based on a capacitive sensing film and a built-in pocket, characterized in that, The device includes a disposable absorbent material, a capacitive sensing membrane, a built-in pocket, and a short-circuit protection mechanism. The disposable absorbent material comprises a top layer, an absorbent layer, and a bottom membrane. The sensing membrane includes a contact surface, a sensing surface, a dielectric layer, and at least two sensing lines. The outer surface of the dielectric layer forms the sensing surface. The dielectric layer separates and insulates the sensing lines from the sensing surface. When the sensing surface is wetted by a liquid containing an electrolyte, the sensing lines can pass through the dielectric layer and perform moisture detection of the sensing surface in an electrolytic capacitor manner. The built-in pocket is used to insert a sensor that performs moisture detection. The contact surface facilitates face-to-face contact and electrical connection between the sensor and the sensing lines. The short-circuit protection mechanism protects the sensing lines from moisture inside and outside the disposable absorbent material. At least a portion of the sensing wire is located within the contact surface and includes an exposed portion. The short-circuit protection mechanism includes a waterproof covering layer that covers the contact surface. The contact surface and the waterproof covering layer include a separable portion that forms the built-in pocket. The sensing wire can achieve moisture detection via the dielectric layer and an electrolytic capacitor. The disposable absorbent material includes a concealed opening in the interlayer at both the front and rear edges, each opening leading to a built-in pocket. The built-in pocket at the front edge is a functional pocket for inserting a sensor to achieve the moisture detection function, while the built-in pocket at the rear edge is a redundant pocket.

2. The intelligent absorbent product as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The capacitive sensing film includes a sensing film with built-in pockets at both ends. The sensing film includes a plastic film substrate. The sensing line is disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate. The waterproof covering layer covers the sensing line. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate include an adhesive portion and a separable portion. The adhesive portion is located in the middle section of the sensing film and forms a sensing area. The separable portion is located at both ends of the sensing film and forms a built-in pocket at each end. The outer surface of the plastic film substrate or the waterproof covering layer faces the absorption layer and forms the sensing surface.

3. The intelligent absorbent product as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The capacitive sensing film includes a through-hole built-in pocket. The sensing film includes a plastic film substrate. The sensing line is disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate and forms the contact surface. The other side of the plastic film substrate faces the absorbent layer and forms the sensing surface. The plastic film substrate forms the dielectric layer. The waterproof covering layer covers the contact surface. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate have mutually bonded portions at their edges and form a boundary that prevents liquid penetration. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate also include a hollow portion, forming a through-hole built-in pocket.

4. The intelligent absorbent product as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The disposable absorbent product includes a front abdominal patch and left and right side patches. At least a portion of the built-in pocket is located within the orthographic projection range of the front abdominal patch. When the disposable absorbent product is worn, the elasticity generated on its waist can be converted into a force that presses the built-in pocket against the user's front abdomen, thereby pressing the sensor located in the built-in pocket and making the contact between the sensor's contact point and the sensing line more reliable. When the disposable absorbent product is not worn, the force that presses against the user's front abdomen will automatically disappear, making the sensor easy to remove.

5. The intelligent absorbent product as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The disposable absorbent product includes an elastic waistband, and the built-in pocket is disposed on the elastic waistband. When the smart absorbent product is worn, the elasticity generated on the elastic waistband can be converted into a force that pushes the built-in pocket against the user's body, thereby pressing the sensor disposed in the built-in pocket and making the contact between the sensor's contact point and the sensing wire more reliable.

6. The intelligent absorbent product as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The disposable absorbent products include diapers, diaper pads, sanitary napkins, maternity pads, or incontinence pads; the surface layer includes hydrophilic nonwoven fabric; the absorbent layer includes a polymer absorbent material; the bottom film includes a breathable or non-breathable PE film; the sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink or metal lines formed by physical vapor deposition; the plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP, or PET film; the waterproof covering layer includes a plastic film, waterproof paper, or water-repellent nonwoven fabric; and the electrolyte-containing liquid includes urine containing salt, loose stools, sweat, or blood. When the absorbent layer of the disposable absorbent is wetted by a liquid containing an electrolyte, the induction wire, the dielectric layer, and the liquid together constitute an electrolytic capacitor, wherein the induction wire constitutes the electrode of the electrolytic capacitor, the dielectric layer constitutes the dielectric of the electrolytic capacitor, and the liquid constitutes the electrolyte of the electrolytic capacitor. The degree of moisture of the disposable absorbent is directly proportional to the capacitance of the electrolytic capacitor, and the capacitance is directly proportional to the area of ​​the liquid corresponding to the induction wire, directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer, and inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer.

7. A capacitive sensing film including a head and tail-type built-in pocket, suitable for manufacturing the smart absorbent article as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes a plastic film substrate, a waterproof covering layer, and at least two sensing lines. The sensing lines are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate, and the waterproof covering layer covers the sensing lines. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate have an adhesive portion at the middle section to form a protected sensing area, which can prevent liquid penetration and short circuit of the sensing lines. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate have separable portions at both ends to form contact areas. The contact area at the front edge forms a functional pocket, and the sensing lines are exposed inside the functional pocket to form a contact surface for face-to-face contact with the contacts of a sensor inserted into the pocket and to establish an electrical connection. The contact area at the rear edge forms a redundant pocket, which can provide error redundancy for positioning and cutting during the production of the smart absorbent product. and The plastic film substrate or the waterproof covering layer constitutes a dielectric layer, and its outer surface forms a sensing surface. The sensing line can pass through the dielectric layer and detect the moisture state on the sensing surface in an electrolytic capacitance manner. Its detection sensitivity is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer and inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer. The sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink and metal lines formed by physical vapor deposition. The plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP or PET film. The waterproof covering layer includes plastic film, waterproof paper, water-repellent non-woven fabric or hot melt adhesive film.

8. A capacitive sensing film including a through-hole built-in pocket, suitable for manufacturing the smart absorbent article as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes a plastic film substrate, a waterproof covering layer, and at least two sensing wires. The sensing wires are disposed on one side of the plastic film substrate. The waterproof covering layer covers the sensing wires. The waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate have adhesive portions at their edges, thereby creating a boundary that prevents liquid penetration and constitutes a short-circuit protection mechanism. A hollow portion exists between the waterproof covering layer and the plastic film substrate, forming a through-hole internal pocket. The sensing wires are exposed within the internal pocket and form a contact surface for face-to-face contact with the contacts of a sensor inserted into the internal pocket and for electrical connection. The plastic film substrate forms a dielectric layer, and its outer surface forms a sensing surface. The sensing line can pass through the dielectric layer and detect the moisture state on the sensing surface in an electrolytic capacitor manner. Its detection sensitivity is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer and inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer. The sensing lines include ink lines printed with conductive ink and metal lines formed by physical vapor deposition. The plastic film substrate includes PE, PP, CPP, BOPP or PET film. The waterproof covering layer includes plastic film, waterproof paper, water-repellent non-woven fabric or hot melt adhesive film.

9. A system device for monitoring the moisture status of intelligent absorbent products, characterized in that, The device includes a sensor and the smart absorbent article as described in claim 1. The sensor includes at least two contacts for contacting and electrically connecting with the sensing wire inside the built-in pocket. The sensor also includes a capacitance detection device for detecting moisture in the disposable absorbent article by means of an electrolytic capacitor.

10. The system apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The sensor includes at least three contacts, two of which constitute an insertion detection device. When the sensor is inserted into the built-in pocket and the two contacts simultaneously contact the same sensing line, the insertion detection device is triggered and the sensor enters a working state. The sensor also includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving moisture status information of the smart absorbent product. The wireless receiver includes an audible and visual alarm device, a smartphone, or a personal computer.

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