Elasticized Side-Panel Hygienic Article for Leakage Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hygienic articles for males often fail to securely fit and adjust to varying penis sizes and shapes, leading to potential soiling of clothing due to intermittent or sporadic urine leakage, and they may have a noticeable appearance under clothing.

Innovation Solution

A hygienic article with elasticized side-panels and a fastening component that provides a dynamic, secure fit by varying elasticity between attachment points, incorporating a high-density absorbent core and a one-way moisture barrier to contain and direct fluid away from the skin, minimizing the article's footprint and appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hygienic article uses a rigid structure to maintain its shape, then it provides structural stability, but it cannot adjust to varying penis sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment to varying penis sizes and shapesVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies elasticity to the side panels, transforming them from rigid to dynamic structures. The elasticized side panels can expand and contract to accommodate different penis sizes and shapes while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies elasticity selectively to specific regions (side panels) rather than the entire structure. This localized elasticization allows the side panels to adapt to varying anatomical configurations while other parts of the article maintain their structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a hygienic article uses elasticized side-panels to secure to the user, then it provides a secure fit, but it may have a noticeable appearance under clothing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitVSAvoidappearance under clothing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin, flexible elasticized side panels that can conform to the body while remaining discreet. The flexibility allows the panels to be stretched thin enough to be imperceptible under clothing while still providing secure fit through elastic recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic elasticization allows the side panels to adjust their thickness and profile based on the user's anatomy and clothing requirements, maintaining secure fit while minimizing visibility under clothing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a hygienic article uses a one-way moisture barrier to direct fluid away from skin, then it prevents skin irritation, but it may cause fluid accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidfluid accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an absorbent core as an intermediary between the moisture barrier and the skin. This absorbent core absorbs fluid that is directed away from the skin by the moisture barrier, preventing both skin irritation and fluid accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the fluid management function from the moisture barrier alone and distributes it across multiple components: the moisture barrier directs fluid away from skin, while the absorbent core extracts and absorbs the fluid, preventing accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 article effectively secures and adjusts to the user's anatomy, inhibiting urine leakage and preventing skin irritation while maintaining a discreet appearance, with a minimized footprint that accommodates sporadic leaks and varying penis sizes, providing comfort and unobtrusive use.

Implementation Method 1

elasticized side-panels which mechanically couple distal ends of a main chassis of the article to define a pouch in the article. The elasticized side-panels are configured, in some embodiments, with a varying overall elasticity between proximal and distal attachment points of the elasticized panels to the chassis.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent material disposed within a portion of the interior of the tube configured to absorb urine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a one-way moisture barrier to contain and direct fluid away from the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3923887B1Adjustable personal hygiene article
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 DERMASTEEL LTD
  • EP3923887B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3923887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3923887B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A hygienic article structured to inhibit soiling of clothing from intermittent or sporadic leakage of urine from a penis over time is provided. The hygienic article provides secure and dynamically variable fit, unobtrusive appearance, and airflow to the skin. The hygienic article according to this disclosure may be as little as one eighth of the surface area of conventional male incontinence guard or shield products, and as little as one quarter of the size of other male incontinence guard products used only over a penis.