Disposable Absorbent Garment with Segmented Core and Wicking Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent products for incontinence, such as pads and adult diapers, are bulky, visible under tight-fitting clothes, and lack sufficient absorbency, while reusable underwear with super-absorbing polymers is impractical for washing and requires complex manufacturing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A single-use absorbent garment utilizing super-absorbing fibers in a nonwoven core structure with a wicking layer and barrier layer, allowing for flexible design, absorption zones, and easy integration into underwear, with non-absorbing fibers to minimize shrinkage and prevent gel flow into channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If SAP (super absorbing polymer) is used to absorb urine in reusable garments, then absorbency is improved, but the garment becomes impractical for washing and requires complex manufacturing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable absorbent inserts containing SAP that are placed inside reusable underwear garments. The disposable nature of the insert resolves the contradiction by allowing high SAP absorbency without requiring the entire garment to be washable, eliminating manufacturing complexity while maintaining reusability of the outer garment.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent system is segmented into separate components: a reusable outer garment and a disposable inner absorbent insert. This segmentation allows the SAP to be contained in the disposable portion that can be discarded after use, while the reusable garment remains simple to manufacture and wash.
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent products are made large and bulky to increase absorbency, then urine absorption capacity is improved, but the products become visible under tight-fitting clothes and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin, flexible nonwoven fabric layers for both the outer garment and the absorbent insert. These thin films provide sufficient absorbency through the SAP while maintaining a low-profile, discreet design that is not visible under tight-fitting clothes and remains comfortable against the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent insert combines multiple materials including SAP particles, hydrophilic fibers for rapid absorption, and hydrophobic barrier layers. This composite structure achieves high absorbency in a compact form factor, preventing bulkiness while maintaining 1 cup absorption capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If SAP is used in reusable garments, then absorbency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to the significant energy input required to remove liquid and return to dry condition
Solution Approach 1:
By making the absorbent insert disposable rather than reusable, the patent eliminates the energy-intensive washing process entirely. The low-cost disposable insert is discarded after a single use, avoiding the high energy input required to remove urine and dry the SAP-containing materials.
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 absorbent garment provides high absorbency, discretion, and comfort, absorbing up to 1 cup of urine with rapid liquid transport and minimal leakage, while being thin and flexible enough to fit like regular underwear.
Implementation Method 1
super absorbent fibers... rapid liquid transport
Implementation Method 2
super absorbent fibers... absorption zones within the core
Implementation Method 3
upper wicking layer... lower wicking layer... rapid liquid transport
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent core structure comprising: a first piece of absorbent core material, a second piece of absorbent core material, an upper wicking layer, a lower wicking layer, and a barrier layer. The upper wicking material is located above the first and second piece of absorbent core material. The lower wicking layer is located below the first and second piece of absorbent core material. The absorbent core structure further includes a channel between the first and second piece of absorbent core material. The upper wicking layer is bonded to the lower wicking layer at a bottom portion of the channel and the barrier layer is bonded to the lower wicking layer.