US3731685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moisture indicating strip for diapers and surgical dressings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-01
•
Granted: 1973-05-08
•
Expires: 1991-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A moisture indicating strip for use with diapers, surgical dressings and the like. One end of the strip is attached to the garment whose wet condition is to be detected. The other end of the strip is impregnated with a chemical which changes color when wet. The strip is capable of supporting capillary action so that moisture in the garment is transported to the chemical which then changes color so that the wet condition of the garment can be verified visually.
Inventors
- 👤 W Eidus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A moisture indicating device for attachment to a garment such as a diaper, surgical dressing or the like comprising a strip of material having an elongated body which supports capillary action, means for securing one end portion of said strip within said garment in an area having an anticipated wet condition to be verified visually, and chemical means disposed at the other end portion of said strip, said elongated strip body being of sufficient length such that when said one end portion is secured within said garment, said other end portion extends outwardly beyond the edge of the garment and is exposed to view outside said garment, said chemical means comprising a moistureresponsive chemical impregnating said exposed end portion for presenting a visible color indication on said exposed end portion when contacted by moisture travelling by capillary action from said first end portion within the garment along the length of said strip body to said other end portion outside said garment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A moisture indicating device for attachment to a garment such as a diaper, surgical dressing or the like comprising a strip of material having an elongated body which supports capillary action, means for securing one end portion of said strip within said garment in an area having an anticipated wet condition to be verified visually, and chemical means disposed at the other end portion of said strip, said elongated strip body being of sufficient length such that when said one end portion is secured within said garment, said other end portion extends outwardly beyond the edge of the garment and is exposed to view outside said garment, said chemical means comprising a moistureresponsive chemical impregnating said exposed end portion for presenting a visible color indication on said exposed end portion when contacted by moisture travelling by capillary action from said first end portion within the garment along the length of said strip body to said other end portion outside said garment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means is a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on said one end portion of said strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 2 further including a transparent plastic sleeve around said other end portion of said strip for preventing dripping of liquids therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said strip is made of a long narrow length of gauze-like material and said chemical means is impregnated therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strip is made of a continuous length of gauze-like material and said chemical means is impregnated therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 1 further including a transparent plastic sleeve around said other end portion of said strip for preventing dripping of liquids therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A moisture indicating device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said strip is made of a continuous length of gauze-like material and said chemical means is a substantially colorless water-soluble agent which will provide a color stain when wet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A garment having a moisture indicating device attached thereto, said moisture indicating device comprising an elongated strip of material which supports capillary action and having one of its ends attached within said garment at a part thereof which it is anticipated will become internally wet, and chemical means disposed at the other end of said strip for changing color when moisture in said garment is transported thereto along the length of said strip by capillary action, the length of said strip being sufficient to locate said other end thereof with said chemical means externally of said garment in an exposed position in which color changes in said chemical means are visible from outside said garment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A garment having a moisture indicating device attached thereto, said moisture indicating device comprising an elongated strip of material which supports capillary action and having one of its ends attached within said garment at a part thereof which it is anticipated will become internally wet, and chemical means disposed at the other end of said strip for changing color when moisture in said garment is transported thereto along the length of said strip by capillary action, the length of said strip being sufficient to locate said other end thereof with said chemical means externally of said garment in an exposed position in which color changes in said chemical means are visible from outside said garment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A garment in accordance with claim 8 further including a transparent plastic sleeve around said other end of said strip for preventing dripping of liquids therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A garment in accordance with claim 9 wherein said strip is made of gauze-like material and said chemical means is impregnated therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 10 wherein said garment is a baby diaper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 10 wherein said garment is a surgical dressing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 9 wherein said garment is a baby diaper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 9 wherein said garment is a surgical dressing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 9 wherein said garment is a baby diaper.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 8 wherein said garment is a surgical dressing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A garment in accordance with claim 8 wherein said strip is made of gauze-like material and said chemical means is impregnated therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said garment is a baby diaper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said garment is a surgical dressing.
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) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |