Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Shawn Jeffrey Sullivan

Andrew Mark Long

Shirlee Ann Weber

Sridhar Ranganathan

Thomas Michael Ales

Jeffrey Robert Heller

Christopher Peter Olson

Xuedong Song

Eric Donald Johnson

Andrew Thomas Baker

George Ikuya Nukuto

Jason C Cohen

Davis-Dang H Nhan

Darold Dean Tippey

Robert Samuel Schlaupitz

Davis Dang Hoang Nhan

John C Robertson

Joseph R Feldkamp

Thomas M Ales, Jr

Sudhanshu Gakhar

John Christian Onderko

Robert David Wright

Peter D Honer

Meghan E Collins

Simon K Poruthoor

Richard N Dodge

Jonathan D Boulos

Frank Fritz Kromenaker

Chris P Olson

Robert Carter Pilecky

Tom M Ales

Timothy R Obermann

Richard Timmers

Chuck R Tomsovic

Iii Thomas Michael Ales

Systems and methods for processing signals from sensors associated with disposable products are provided. Signals indicative of disposable product consumption and an available quantity of disposable products can be processed. Data associated with the signals can be communicated to an assessment module. The data can include location information associated with the disposable product consumption and available quantity of disposable products. The assessment module can estimate disposable product usage for different locations based on the data. The assessment module can provide notifications of inventory status for the different locations based on the estimated disposable product usage.

Disposable product quantification and management

A system for removing and donning a disposable absorbent article by using a separate robotic device includes an absorbent assembly having an inner layer that partly defines a body-facing surface, an outer layer that defines a garment-facing surface, and an absorbent body disposed between the inner and outer layers. The absorbent assembly also includes a pair of ears extending transversely outward from the opposite sides of the absorbent assembly in the back waist region, each of the ears including a body-facing surface with a primary first fastening-component that is selectively engageable with a primary second fastening-component in the front waist region of the absorbent assembly in a wear configuration of the article, and a garment-facing surface opposite the body-facing surface. The absorbent article also includes a manipulation-enablement feature configured to assist the post-retail manipulation of the absorbent article by the robotic device.

Automatic absorbent article change features

A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having an outer surface, the system including a computer and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer. The system also includes a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, and an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.

Absorbent article leakage assessment system

An oscillator provides a reference signal having a phase. A tunable reactive circuit, including an induction coil, is driven by the fixed frequency reference signal of the oscillator with coil adapted to be positioned adjacent the specimen to generate an oscillating signal corresponding to the condition of the specimen. The tunable reactive circuit provides an output signal having a parameter indicative of the condition of the specimen. A resonant control circuit compares the reference signal to the oscillating signal and provides to the tunable reactive circuit a resonance control signal representative of the comparison. The resonance control signal tunes the tunable reactive circuit, which may be a series RLC circuit, so that the frequency of the oscillating signal is substantially constant.

Resonant coil for measuring specimen condition

Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one embodiment, for instance, conductive zones are formed directly into the outer cover for forming the signaling system. Alternatively, a sensor may be mounted to the outer cover of the article for monitoring changes within the article. The sensor may comprise, for instance, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, an optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a humidity sensor, a material expansion sensor, a chemical sensor, or the like.

Remote detection systems for absorbent articles

Embodiments of the invention relate to an image analysis system for detecting compliance with requirements for using personal protective equipment (PPE). An image capturing device may be used to acquire an image of an individual requesting entry into a restricted area. In turn, a PPE analysis tool may be configured to analyze the image to detect the presence of the PPE, e.g., by recognizing markings made using UV fluorescent dye, reflective ink, or other marking materials visible in the captured image and/or the physical shape of the PPE. The image analysis tool may be further configured to demine not only whether the required PPE is present, but also determine whether the PPE is being worn correctly by the individual requesting access to the restricted area.

Image analysis system for detecting personal protective equipment compliance

A portable UV detection apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device integrated with a skin type measuring device. A controller can be included in the apparatus that is in communication with the skin type measuring device and the UV detection device. The controller can provide information to the user regarding the amount of ultraviolet radiation present in the environment. In an alternative embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device in conjunction with a light sensor. The light sensor can be configured to activate the UV detection device should light at a particular intensity be present in the environment. The UV detection device as described above can be configured to measure UVA radiation, UVB radiation, and/or UVC radiation.

UV detection devices and methods

The present invention relates to mannequin systems that can be used for simulating motion for the performance testing of garments, including absorbent articles. The systems may include an assembled framework and a mannequin secured within the assembled framework. Motion of the mannequin is generated by an integrated system of pneumatic cylinders and a motor drive assembly. The mannequin may be made of a reinforced elastomeric composite material.

Mannequin system

A method of detecting the presence of an insult in an absorbent article. An electrical property of the article is measured and either a proportional difference or a rate of change of the electrical property is determined. The proportional difference or the rate of change is compared to a difference indicator value and a rate indicator value, respectively, to determine the presence of an insult in the article.

Method of detecting the presence of an insult in an absorbent article and device for detecting the same

A lifting device equipped with an RFID scanning system having an article receiving area configured for receipt of a stack of articles having RFID tags associated therewith. A first scanning antenna is provided at a first height relative to the article receiving area, and a second scanning antenna is provided at a second height relative to the article receiving area that is above the first height. A computer control system is in communication with the first and second scanning antennas and applies a verification parameter to RFID signals received by the second scanning antenna to determine whether RFID tagged articles detected by the second scanning antenna are within the stack of articles carried by the lifting device.

RFID system for lifting devices

Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least two conductive elements that form an open circuit within the article. Each conductive element is connected to a conductive pad member that has sufficient surface area in order to facilitate connection to a signaling device. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the pad members to a signaling device. In particular, although the absorbent articles are disposable, the signaling device is intended to be used with multiple absorbent articles. Therefore, a simple and efficient method of connecting the signaling device to the pad members provides various advantages. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the pad members comprise a conductive loop-type material that is attached to a corresponding conductive hook-type material on the signaling device.

Connection mechanisms in absorbent articles for body fluid signaling devices

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Shawn Jeffrey Sullivan