Elastic Bonded Absorbent Garment for Stress Incontinence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current products for stress incontinence do not effectively manage the unique fluid pressure and volume characteristics of urine leakage, often causing discomfort and embarrassment due to bulkiness and lack of skin-friendly materials, and existing absorbent technologies are not optimized for the specific needs of stress incontinence.
Innovation Solution
A garment with an absorbent assembly featuring an absorbent layer and a moisture-repellent strip, bonded to the body portion using elastic film without stitching, which includes a wicking layer to spread moisture and reduce saturation, providing effective absorption and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bulky disposable products are used to manage stress incontinence, then absorbency is improved, but comfort and discretion are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the absorbent material by using a thin, flexible polymer-based absorbent layer instead of bulky cotton or disposable materials. This allows the garment to maintain high absorbency while reducing thickness and improving comfort against the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment uses a composite structure combining a moisture-wicking outer layer with a polymer-based absorbent inner layer. This multi-layer composite material provides both high absorbency capacity and skin-friendly comfort, resolving the contradiction between absorbency and comfort.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional absorbent materials are used, then absorbency is improved, but skin-friendliness is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the absorbent material from traditional cotton or disposable polymers to a thin, flexible polymer-based absorbent layer that is specifically designed to be skin-friendly. This material change maintains absorbency while eliminating skin irritation concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent layer uses a porous polymer structure that allows moisture to be absorbed and distributed throughout the material while maintaining breathability and skin contact comfort. This porous structure provides both absorbency and skin-friendliness simultaneously.
3Strength
If stitched construction is used to attach absorbent assembly, then structural integrity is improved, but comfort is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system with a thermal bonding system using heat-sealable tape. This substitution eliminates needles and threads that cause discomfort, while the thermal bonding provides equivalent or superior structural integrity for attaching the absorbent assembly to the garment body.
4Quantity of substance
If thick absorbent layers are used, then absorbency is improved, but discreteness is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution of the absorbent material by using a thin, flexible polymer-based layer that distributes moisture throughout its structure. This allows the garment to achieve high absorbency capacity while maintaining minimal thickness for discreteness under clothing.
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 seamless, comfortable, and discreet absorbent undergarment that effectively manages stress incontinence by reducing leakage and maintaining absorbency even after multiple washes, addressing the specific needs of stress incontinence with improved absorbency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent layer for absorbing moisture from a wearer of the garment
Implementation Method 2
which includes a wicking layer to spread moisture and reduce saturation
Implementation Method 3
the absorbent assembly is at least partially bonded to the body portion with elastic bonding film
Data Source
AI summary
Garments and associated methods are disclosed. In examples, a garment includes an absorbent assembly bonded to a body portion. In examples, the absorbent assembly includes an absorbent layer and overlies at least a central region of the body portion. In examples, the absorbent assembly is at least partially bonded to the body portion with elastic bonding film. In examples, the garment is configured to be washed and re-worn numerous times. In examples, a method of manufacturing a garment includes arranging an absorbent assembly over at least the central region of the body portion and bonding the absorbent assembly to the body portion with strips of elastic bonding film and without stitching. In examples, a moisture-absorbent garment includes a body layer supporting an absorbent assembly within a central region and strips of elastic bonding film that bond at least a portion of the absorbent assembly to the body layer without stitching.