US5264830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sensing wet diaper
Assignee: Little Acorn Ventures Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-18
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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Expires: 2012-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A device for signaling a wet condition in a diaper. The device includes a sensing means for sensing wet conditions in the diaper and signal means connected to the sensing means for producing a signal substantially concurrently with sensing the wet conditions in the diaper. The sensing means are insulated from the wearer when the diaper is dry and are activated by the diaper once the diaper becomes wet.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Kline
- 👤 Paul A. Pottgen
- 👤 Neil J. Szuminsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/48; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A waterproof diaper cover including means for sensing wet conditions in a diaper with which said waterproof diaper cover is in contact, said waterproof diaper covering having fastened thereto a wetness sensing means having a signal means connected thereto, said wetness sensing means electrically connected to a pair of spaced contacts positioned internally with respect to said waterproof diaper cover such that said spaced contacts are in contact with a diaper being worn by a wearer of said waterproof diaper cover, said sensing means and signal means being housed within housing means secured to said waterproof diaper cover, wherein at least one of said spaced contacts comprise snap means for fastening said housing means to said diaper cover, said housing means having at least one set of said snap means fastened thereto, said diaper cover having at least another set of snap means fastened thereto, wherein said housing is mounted to said diaper cover by fastening together said snap means on said housing and corresponding said snap means on said diaper cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A waterproof diaper cover including means for sensing wet conditions in a diaper with which said waterproof diaper cover is in contact, said waterproof diaper covering having fastened thereto a wetness sensing means having a signal means connected thereto, said wetness sensing means electrically connected to a pair of spaced contacts positioned internally with respect to said waterproof diaper cover such that said spaced contacts are in contact with a diaper being worn by a wearer of said waterproof diaper cover, said sensing means and signal means being housed within housing means secured to said waterproof diaper cover, wherein at least one of said spaced contacts comprise snap means for fastening said housing means to said diaper cover, said housing means having at least one set of said snap means fastened thereto, said diaper cover having at least another set of snap means fastened thereto, wherein said housing is mounted to said diaper cover by fastening together said snap means on said housing and corresponding said snap means on said diaper cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said signal means is audible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diaper cover of claim 2 wherein said signal means includes amplifier means allowing said audible signal to be heard by persons caring for the wearer of said diaper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said signal means is visual.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diaper cover of claim 1 further including battery means for powering said signal means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The diaper cover of claim 1 wherein said diaper is a cloth diaper, said sensing means being secured to said diaper cover in a location generally corresponding to a location on said diaper likely to experience wetness from the wearer of said diaper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diaper cover of claim 1 wherein said diaper is a disposable diaper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The diaper cover of claim 1 wherein said sensing means senses the presence of bodily fluids passed into said diaper by a wearer of said diaper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The diaper cover of claim 8 wherein said bodily fluid comprises an electrolytic solution and said sensing means includes battery means, said battery means providing sufficient voltage to initiate said signal means upon being wetted by said electrolytic solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diaper cover of claim 9 wherein said electrolytic solution is selected from the group consisting of urine, blood, saliva, sweat, vomitus, mucus, semen, tears, milk, water, and feces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The diaper cover of claim 9 wherein said battery means comprises at least one pair of electrodes, each electrode comprising a different metal, said different metal electrodes producing sufficient voltage between them in the presence of said electrolyte solution to initiate said signal means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The diaper cover of claim 1 wherein said signal means includes transmitter means for transmitting said signal to a location remote from said user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diaper cover of claim 12 wherein said transmitter means transmits said signal to a monitor means, and said monitor means is adapted to identify the wearer of the diaper cover transmitting said signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The waterproof pants of claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises an audible indicator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The waterproof diaper cover of claim 7 wherein said housing means comprises cushioning means housing said wetness sensing and signal means, and said housing is removably fastened to the front side of said waterproof diaper cover on the exterior thereof, substantially over the pubic bone region of a wearer of said waterproof diaper cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |