Biodegradable Hygiene Article With Removable Absorbent Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hygiene articles for body fluids and solid feces often lack sufficient protection against coarse soiling, leading to skin irritation and inadequate containment of waste, with previous designs either restricting wear comfort or being difficult to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hygiene article composed of biodegradable materials with an inner part having a bulge for a detachable absorbent insert, featuring three-dimensional absorbent pad strips that form a tub-like shape for solid feces collection and an adjustable outer part for enhanced fit and comfort, including elastic ribbing and breathable membrane materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standardized outer cover design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but wearing comfort is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The hygiene article is divided into a reusable outer cover and a disposable inner absorbent layer that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The inner layer includes separate components (absorbent core, solid feces collection chamber, liquid collection layer) that can be produced using standardized processes while the outer cover maintains flexibility for comfort adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cover incorporates elastic materials and adjustable fastening systems that allow it to dynamically adapt to different body shapes and sizes. The elastic waistband and leg cuffs provide flexible accommodation rather than rigid standardized fit, resolving the contradiction between standardized manufacturing and personalized comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner layer is detachable from the outer cover, then reuse of outer cover is enabled, but detachment after use is difficult and poses contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The inner absorbent layer is designed as a separate removable component that can be easily extracted from the outer cover after use. The connection between layers uses simple attachment mechanisms (such as elastic bands or snap fasteners) that allow quick removal of the contaminated inner layer without requiring separation of the entire diaper structure, thus enabling outer cover reuse while minimizing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate connection mechanism (such as an elastic waistband with integrated fasteners or a separate closure layer) mediates between the inner and outer layers, providing both secure attachment during wear and easy separation after use. This intermediary structure allows the inner layer to be removed for disposal while the outer cover remains intact for washing and reuse.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional absorbent materials are used, then liquid absorption is achieved, but solid feces containment is insufficient leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent layer incorporates different functional zones with specialized properties: a solid feces collection chamber with high structural integrity and containment walls, a liquid absorption zone with high-capacity absorbent materials, and a barrier layer preventing cross-contamination. Each zone is optimized for its specific function, providing reliable containment for both solid and liquid waste separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent layer uses a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties: superabsorbent polymers for liquid absorption, cellulosic fibers for bulk absorption, and structurally rigid materials for solid feces containment. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high absorption capacity and reliable solid waste containment without leakage.
4Reliability
If membranes and cuffs are added for protection, then leakage prevention is improved, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover uses flexible, breathable membrane materials that provide leakage protection while allowing air and moisture vapor transmission. These thin film structures replace rigid plastic-like barriers with soft, skin-friendly materials that maintain protective function without causing irritation. The membranes are designed to be permeable to water vapor but impermeable to liquid waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuffs and contact layers incorporate porous materials with controlled pore sizes that allow breathability and moisture wicking while preventing waste penetration. The porous structure enables air circulation to reduce heat buildup and moisture accumulation that cause skin irritation, while the pore size is sufficiently small to block fecal matter and provide reliable leakage protection.
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 design effectively collects and contains both body fluids and solid feces without leakage, providing improved wear comfort and ease of disposal while minimizing skin irritation and odor nuisance.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the flexibility and resilience of the absorbent pad strips, a three-dimensional, tub-like shape of the insert is achieved
Implementation Method 2
breathable membrane materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sanitary product (1) from biodegradable materials, consisting of an inner part (5) and a liquid-repellent outer part (4), the inner part (5) having an indentation (6) for receiving an absorbent inlay (7), particularly an absorbent pad (12), moreover the inlay (7) being removably arranged in the inner part (5) and the inner part (5) being an integral component of the outer part (4), wherein the indentation (6) has a design adapted to the shape of the inlay (7) and the inlay (7) received by the indentation (6) has a three-dimensional trough shape.