Containment Pant Chassis and Pouch Design for Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current disposable absorbent garments are not satisfactory for enuretic individuals as they are perceived as 'diaper-like' and do not adequately mimic conventional underwear, leading to a need for a product that combines the functionality of absorbency with the appearance and feel of regular underwear.

Innovation Solution

A permanently closed containment pant with an elastically extensible chassis, a fluid-impervious pouch, and breathable materials, designed to resemble conventional underwear while effectively managing bedwetting through a fluid-impervious base sheet and containment flap configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If disposable absorbent garments are designed to be more underwear-like with softer nonwoven materials and gender specific graphics, then the appearance and feel improve, but the ability to effectively contain urine insults may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance and feel like conventional underwearVSAvoidability to contain urine insults
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer chassis made of soft nonwoven material for comfort and underwear-like appearance, and an inner absorbent core with containment flaps for reliable urine containment. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified garment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment combines different materials with complementary properties: the outer chassis uses soft nonwoven fabric for comfort and aesthetics, while the inner absorbent core uses highly absorbent materials for containment. The containment flaps use fluid-impervious materials to prevent leakage, creating a composite structure that achieves both comfort and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the chassis is made highly elastically extensible to fit comfortably, then the comfort and fit improve, but the structural support for containing urine may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort and fitVSAvoidstructural support for containment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is designed with dynamic elasticity, allowing it to stretch and conform to the wearer's body for comfort and proper fit. The elastic properties enable the garment to adapt to body movements while maintaining containment effectiveness through the structured absorbent core and containment flaps that provide structural support during filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the base sheet is made fluid-impervious to prevent leakage, then the containment effectiveness improves, but the breathability and comfort may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainment effectivenessVSAvoidbreathability and comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base sheet is designed with local quality variations: fluid-impervious regions at critical leakage points (containment flaps and waistband areas) to prevent urine escape, while more breathable regions in contact with the skin to maintain comfort. This localized approach to fluid impermeability ensures containment effectiveness without sacrificing overall breathability and wearer comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 containment pant provides a durable, breathable, and comfortable solution that effectively manages urine leakage while maintaining a conventional underwear appearance and feel, addressing the dissatisfaction with existing products.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastically extensible chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region, a pair of leg openings, and a waist opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

breathable materials, designed to resemble conventional underwear while effectively managing bedwetting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a sling including a fluid-impervious base sheet and a containment flap joined with the base sheet to create a fluid-impervious pouch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2872090B1Containment pant
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP2872090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2872090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2872090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A permanently closed containment pant includes an elastically extensible chassis and a sling positioned within the chassis. The sling is joined to the front waist region and the back waist region. The sling includes a fluid-impervious base sheet and a containment flap joined with the base sheet to create a fluid-impervious pouch. The sling also includes a first transition and a second transition that are elastically extensible in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction. Material properties of the pouch and chassis provide the proper fit for comfort and leakage protection.