Liquid-Permeable Cushion Material for Bedridden Pet Care

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbing sheets for bedridden pets often lead to poor hygiene conditions due to liquid excreta adhering to the pet's hair or skin, causing skin irritation and increasing the risk of bedsores.

Innovation Solution

A pet nursing product featuring an absorbent sheet with a liquid-permeable cushion material made of thermoplastic resin continuous fibers, which diffuses body pressure and prevents liquid excreta from contacting the pet's skin, maintaining a dry surface and reducing the risk of bedsores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an absorbing sheet is used for bedridden pets, then liquid excreta can be absorbed, but the pet's skin becomes moist and adheres to the sheet causing poor hygiene

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid absorption capacityVSAvoidskin moisture and adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid-permeable cushion material is introduced as an intermediary layer between the pet's body and the absorbent sheet. This cushion material allows liquid excreta to pass through to the absorbent sheet while maintaining a dry surface that prevents skin adhesion and moisture accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion material is designed with liquid-permeable porous structure that enables liquid excreta to penetrate through while maintaining surface dryness. The porous structure allows fluid passage while preventing skin contact with accumulated liquid, resolving the contradiction between absorption and skin moisture prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Quantity of substance

If the absorbent sheet contacts the pet's body directly, then liquid excreta are absorbed effectively, but physical irritation and bedsores occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcreta absorption efficiencyVSAvoidphysical irritation and bedsores

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid-permeable cushion material serves as a protective intermediary between the pet's body and the absorbent sheet. It provides a soft, compliant surface that distributes body pressure evenly while allowing liquid excreta to reach the absorbent sheet, preventing both skin irritation and maintaining absorption efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion material provides beforehand cushioning by creating a compliant layer that distributes body pressure before the pet's weight is fully borne by the absorbent sheet. This prevents localized high pressure points that could lead to bedsores while maintaining effective liquid absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a thick cushion material is used to prevent skin contact, then hygiene is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin protection from moistureVSAvoidproduct structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid-permeable cushion material performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical cushioning to prevent bedsores, maintains surface dryness to prevent skin adhesion, and allows liquid passage to the absorbent sheet. This multi-functionality in a single layer reduces overall structural complexity while achieving multiple protective goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 product effectively maintains a hygienic condition by preventing liquid excreta from adhering to the pet's skin, reducing the risk of bedsores and minimizing physical irritation.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid excreta permeate through the cushion material and can be absorbed and retained in the absorbent sheet below it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

the body pressure is diffused in the in-plane direction of the cushion material, helping to minimize reduction in the thickness of the cushion material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure diffusion:

Implementation Method 3

the continuous fibers are joined together at the intersections between the continuous fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal bonding:

Data Source

PatentUS11570966B2Pet care article

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

A pet care article is provided which maintains excellent sanitary conditions and is not prone to causing bedsores. This pet care article (1) is provided with an absorbent sheet (2) having liquid retention properties, and a liquid-permeable cushion material (3) arranged on the top surface of the absorbent sheet and having a thickness of greater than or equal to 5 mm. The cushion material (3) comprises a fibrous structure configured from continuous fibers made from a thermoplastic resin and having a fiber diameter of 0.01-3 mm. No ends of the continuous fibers are contained in the top of said fibrous structure, and the continuous fibers are bonded together at intersections between the continuous fibers.