Absorbent Garment Pouch With Fluoroalkyl Acrylate Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reusable underwear that effectively absorbs and retains liquids or semi-solids at any discharge rate without leaking, maintaining comfort and aesthetics, while being pervious to water vapor and capable of evaporating moisture to extend absorbency over time, addressing the inadequacies of existing incontinence products that are often bulky, uncomfortable, and unsightly.
Innovation Solution
A washable and reusable undergarment with a shaped, skin-conformable absorbent pouch assembly comprising a hydrophilic inner layer, a fluid-absorbent intermediate layer, and a waterproof outer layer treated with a fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer, held in place by elastic retaining means, allowing capillary flow and evaporation to manage discharge and maintain skin dryness, with optional active ingredients like colloidal silver and activated carbon for odor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof membrane is used to retain discharge, then liquid retention is improved, but breathability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer film structure where a waterproof membrane layer provides liquid retention while breathable fabric layers allow vapor transmission. The waterproof layer is integrated within a composite structure that includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers, creating a flexible shell system that simultaneously achieves both liquid barrier and vapor permeability functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment utilizes a composite material structure consisting of multiple layers with different properties: a hydrophilic layer for liquid absorption, a waterproof membrane for liquid barrier, and a breathable outer layer for vapor transmission. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit multiple functions (waterproofing + breathability) that individual materials cannot achieve alone.
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent material is added to increase capacity, then absorbency is improved, but bulk and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous absorbent materials that can hold large volumes of liquid within their porous structure without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the garment. The porous structure allows high absorbency capacity while maintaining a thin, form-fitting profile that preserves comfort and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent material is strategically positioned in specific regions where discharge is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly distributing bulk material throughout the garment. This localized placement of absorbency provides high capacity where needed while minimizing overall bulk and maintaining comfort in other areas.
3Reliability
If a waterproof outer layer is used to prevent leakage, then liquid retention is improved, but water vapor permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof outer layer is designed as a thin film structure that creates an effective liquid barrier while maintaining sufficient porosity for water vapor transmission. The film is engineered with specific pore structures that allow vapor molecules to pass through while blocking larger liquid molecules, achieving selective permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof layer utilizes porous material structure where the pore size is controlled to allow water vapor molecules to diffuse through while preventing liquid penetration. This porous waterproof membrane achieves both leak prevention and breathability by exploiting the size difference between vapor and liquid phases.
4Shape
If the garment is designed to be form-fitting for aesthetics, then appearance is improved, but absorbency capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment provides a form-fitting aesthetic appearance overall while incorporating localized three-dimensional absorbent pouches in specific regions. These pouches create controlled bulk only where absorbency is functionally required, allowing the rest of the garment to maintain a sleek, aesthetic profile without significant bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent capacity is achieved by utilizing the third dimension through strategically placed pouches and layers that extend outward only where needed for absorption, rather than adding uniform bulk across the entire garment surface. This dimensional approach allows high capacity in critical zones while maintaining overall form-fitting appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a comfortable, aesthetically acceptable, and effective means to absorb and retain discharges, preventing skin irritation and odor, with the ability to evaporate moisture, extending absorbency and reducing the need for frequent changes, while being durable enough for repeated laundering and use.
Implementation Method 1
allowing capillary flow and evaporation to manage discharge
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate layer having a hydrophilic and fluid-absorbent composition
Implementation Method 3
the outer layer comprises at least one external panel of an elastic knitted or woven textile that has been subjected to a waterproofing process in which the textile itself is made impermeable to retained liquid water yet remains permeable to water vapour
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5b
Figure 5c~6
AI summary
Absorbent, launderable garments and undergarments for incontinent persons or the like are supplied in many styles, colours and capacities. In the shaped absorbent pouch assembly an inner conformable and permeable layer is against the skin. An absorbent cotton layer enclosed by a gas-permeable yet waterproof, stretchable textile. The pouch is positioned by conventional elastic strips and sheet elastic fabric. Each style is visually similar to a style of regular underwear and will reduce embarrassment. A waterproofing treatment uses an emulsion of fluoroalkyl acrylate permeated into a knitted or woven textile. In higher capacity versions the entire garment is waterproofed.