Activated Carbon Underwear Filter Layer for Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing undergarments fail to effectively address odorous emissions from the groin region while maintaining comfort and fit, leading to discomfort and social stigma, and lack adequate support for male reproductive organs, causing discomfort and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of undergarments with a filter layer made of knitted activated carbon textile that allows moisture escape while filtering odors, combined with a second portion of higher elasticity to conform to the body, and an additional sling portion for supportive lift of the scrotum, addressing both odor control and comfort issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter member is inserted into the undergarment to filter odorous gases, then odor filtration effectiveness is improved, but the undergarment becomes awkward and uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous foam material as the filter member that allows gas permeation while trapping odorous substances. The porous structure enables gas flow through the material without requiring complex mechanical filters, thus maintaining comfort while achieving odor filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member is constructed as a composite material combining foam substrate with odor-absorbing substances. This composite structure provides both the mechanical support needed for garment integration and the chemical properties required for effective odor filtration, resolving the contradiction between functionality and wearability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the filter member retains odorous gases, then odor emission is reduced, but moisture escape is prevented compounding the problem
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the foam filter member allows selective passage: it traps odorous gas molecules through adsorption while permitting water vapor molecules to pass through due to size and polarity differences. This resolves the contradiction by enabling odor retention while maintaining moisture escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member is designed to extract and separate specific components from the gas mixture - trapping odorous substances while allowing moisture vapor to pass through. This selective extraction resolves the contradiction between odor control and moisture management.
3Ease of operation
If conventional loose undergarments are worn, then comfort is improved, but they fail to provide adequate support for reproductive organs causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The undergarment incorporates an elastic band that dynamically adapts to the wearer's body movements and anatomical variations. The elastic property allows the garment to provide consistent support force while accommodating natural movements, thus maintaining comfort while preventing organ displacement and associated discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band changes its mechanical parameters (tension, compression force) in response to body movements and anatomical variations. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the garment to provide adequate support force without creating excessive pressure, resolving the contradiction between support and comfort.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If tightly fitted undergarments are worn to hold genitals close, then support is improved, but fabric tension squashes genitals causing negative impact on perceived size and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band is positioned and dimensioned to provide localized support precisely where needed - at the groin area - without creating excessive tension across the entire garment. This localized quality approach enables effective support while minimizing overall fabric tension that would cause squashing and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band's tension parameters are carefully controlled through material selection and dimensional design to provide adequate support force without exceeding comfort thresholds. The parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving the minimum necessary support force without creating excessive compression that would cause discomfort or affect 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 effectively limits odor emissions, enhances comfort by preventing gas escape, and provides supportive lift to the scrotum, reducing discomfort and potential damage, while conforming to various body shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the filter layer comprising a knitted material comprising activated carbon
Implementation Method 2
the second portion comprises one or more textile panels adjacent said first portion and having elasticity greater than the elasticity of the first portion such that the second portion conforms to the shape of the wearer's body
Data Source
AI summary
An article of clothing (10) comprising: a first portion (14) shaped to cover at least part of a wearer's groin or buttock region during use and extending into a gusset region of the article, and a second portion (16) shaped to extend around a wearer's body so as to hold the article against the wearer during use. The first portion (14) comprises a carbon textile layer and a backing layer, the filter layer comprising a knitted material comprising activated carbon. The second material (16) comprises one or more textile panels adjacent said first portion (14) and having elasticity greater than the elasticity of the first portion such that the second portion conforms to the shape of the wearer's body.