Layered Sealing Garment Component for Bodily Fluid Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimwear and undergarments do not effectively prevent the leakage of bodily fluids such as urine and menstrual fluid into aquatic environments, causing embarrassment and unhygienic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A garment component with a liquid impermeable base layer, peripheral layer, and functional layer that forms a sealing engagement with the skin to trap bodily fluids, incorporating a wicking element to manage moisture and an absorbent element to collect fluids, while being breathable and washable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional swimwear and undergarments are used, then the garment allows freedom of movement and breathability, but bodily fluids can leak into the aquatic environment causing embarrassment and unhygienic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into distinct functional layers: a liquid permeable outer layer for breathability, a liquid impermeable intermediate layer for fluid containment, and a liquid absorbent inner layer for fluid collection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while working together to prevent leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment utilizes composite construction by combining multiple materials with different properties - the outer layer uses breathable fabric, the intermediate layer uses waterproof material, and the inner layer uses absorbent material. This composite approach enables the garment to simultaneously achieve breathability, fluid containment, and absorption.
2Reliability
If liquid impermeable barrier layers and seals are added to prevent fluid leakage, then fluid containment improves, but the garment becomes less breathable and more difficult to wash
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier function is segmented into a specific intermediate layer rather than being integrated throughout the entire garment. This allows the barrier layer to be positioned strategically where fluid containment is needed while leaving other areas breathable and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid impermeable barrier is applied locally at the crotch and groin areas where fluid leakage is most likely to occur, rather than making the entire garment waterproof. This localized approach maintains breathability in other areas while providing containment where needed.
3Reliability
If absorbent materials are used to collect bodily fluids, then fluid management improves, but the garment becomes heavier and less breathable
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material is concentrated in the inner layer at the crotch and groin areas where bodily fluids are generated, rather than distributing absorbent material throughout the entire garment. This localized placement provides effective fluid management while minimizing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent function is segmented into a dedicated inner layer that collects fluids, while the outer layers maintain breathability. This segmentation allows the absorbent material to perform its function without compromising the breathability of the entire garment structure.
4Reliability
If multiple barrier layers and seals are incorporated to prevent fluid leakage, then leakage prevention improves, but the garment becomes less comfortable and more complex to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The leakage prevention system is segmented into three functional layers that work together: the permeable outer layer allows breathability, the impermeable intermediate layer provides the barrier, and the absorbent inner layer collects fluids. This segmentation achieves leakage prevention while maintaining comfort through breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment uses composite materials with different properties in each layer - breathable fabric externally, waterproof material in the intermediate layer, and absorbent material internally. This composite construction provides leakage prevention while maintaining comfort through the breathable outer layer.
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
Prevents leakage of bodily fluids into aquatic environments and maintains user comfort by keeping the garment dry and hygienic, with effective fluid management and reusability.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid impermeable base layer 110 that prevents liquid communication between the space 130 and an external environment
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a wicking element to manage moisture
Implementation Method 3
an absorbent element to collect fluids
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a garment component (100) for use in a garment (200). The garment component (100) comprises: a liquid impermeable base layer (110); a liquid impermeable peripheral layer (120) disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer (110); and a space (130) defined by the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers (110,120). When the garment (200) comprising the garment component (100) is worn on a user, the garment (200) forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer (120) and the user's skin (300), such that the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers (110,120) prevent liquid flow into and out of the space (130) and the space (130) collects bodily fluids from the user.