09.09.16
Peter Curran, Oatley, Australia; David Albert Barda, Rose Bay, Australia; Don Black, Albert Park, Australia; Bradley John Phillips, Glen Iris, Australia; Peter Kotlarski, Glen Waverley, Australia; Juuso Tuomas Olkkonen, Espoo, Finland; and Tomi Juha Petteri Mattila, Espoo, Finland.
Assigned to Fred Bergman Healthcare Pty. Ltd., North Sydney, Australia.
Filed: 7/31/12
Issued: 4/19/16
A sensor device for detecting a wetness in an absorbent article worn by a subject, the sensor device including: (a) one or more capacitive sensing elements formed by first conductive member and a second conductive member separated by a dielectric region; and (b) a coupling for communicating sensor signals between the one or more sensing elements and a receiver; wherein a change in wetness caused by a wetness event in the absorbent article causes a change in capacitance for at least one of the sensing elements, which change in capacitance is detectable to determine occurrence of a wetness event in the absorbent article, and wherein the changes in capacitance are communicated in the sensor signals to the receiver; and wherein at least one of the one or more capacitive sensing elements includes a third conductive member and wherein a change in capacitance between first and second conductive members of the at least one capacitive sensing element is detectable relative to a change in capacitance between one of (i) the second and third conductive members, and (ii) the first and third conductive members.
Assigned to Fred Bergman Healthcare Pty. Ltd., North Sydney, Australia.
Filed: 7/31/12
Issued: 4/19/16
A sensor device for detecting a wetness in an absorbent article worn by a subject, the sensor device including: (a) one or more capacitive sensing elements formed by first conductive member and a second conductive member separated by a dielectric region; and (b) a coupling for communicating sensor signals between the one or more sensing elements and a receiver; wherein a change in wetness caused by a wetness event in the absorbent article causes a change in capacitance for at least one of the sensing elements, which change in capacitance is detectable to determine occurrence of a wetness event in the absorbent article, and wherein the changes in capacitance are communicated in the sensor signals to the receiver; and wherein at least one of the one or more capacitive sensing elements includes a third conductive member and wherein a change in capacitance between first and second conductive members of the at least one capacitive sensing element is detectable relative to a change in capacitance between one of (i) the second and third conductive members, and (ii) the first and third conductive members.