Protective garment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary products for menstrual and incontinence management are often bulky, uncomfortable, environmentally hazardous, and pose health risks, with disposable products requiring frequent changes and causing discomfort and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
A reusable gusset for protective garments incorporating a moisture-wicking layer with a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns, a moisture-absorbing layer with split synthetic fibers, and a moisture-impermeable layer, designed to manage fluid absorption and leakage effectively while reducing discomfort and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If disposable sanitary products are used to absorb large flows, then absorption capacity is improved, but bulkiness and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The gusset is divided into multiple functional layers: a moisture-wicking layer with hydrophilic/hydrophobic yarns for initial fluid contact and direction, a moisture-absorbing core layer for bulk fluid storage, and a moisture-impermeable barrier layer for leak prevention. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high absorption capacity while maintaining a thin, compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including double-knit fabrics combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns, terry loop fabrics for absorption, and laminated impermeable layers. These composite materials provide multiple functions within thin profiles, enabling high absorption capacity without increasing bulkiness.
2Ease of operation
If reusable garments are designed to be thin and comfortable, then comfort is improved, but absorption capacity and leak resistance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The gusset is divided into multiple functional layers: a moisture-wicking layer with hydrophilic/hydrophobic yarns for initial fluid contact and direction, a moisture-absorbing core layer for bulk fluid storage, and a moisture-impermeable barrier layer for leak prevention. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high absorption capacity while maintaining a thin, compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including double-knit fabrics combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns, terry loop fabrics for absorption, and laminated impermeable layers. These composite materials provide multiple functions within thin profiles, enabling high absorption capacity without increasing bulkiness.
3Reliability
If disposable products are used regularly, then absorption function is maintained, but environmental harm and waste are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable gusset is designed to be washed and reused multiple times, eliminating the need for continuous disposal. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic yarn structure and impermeable barrier maintain their functional properties through repeated washing, allowing the garment to serve itself by regenerating absorption capacity through simple washing rather than requiring replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the gusset after single use, the invention enables recovery and reuse of all functional layers. The reusable design allows the absorption core, barrier layer, and wicking layer to be recovered through washing and used again, eliminating waste generation while maintaining absorption function.
4Quantity of substance
If internal products like tampons are used, then absorption efficiency is improved, but health risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the absorption function from internal products like tampons and relocates it to an external gusset integrated into the garment. This external positioning eliminates direct insertion into the vagina, removing the associated health risks while maintaining effective absorption through the multi-layer gusset structure with wicking and absorbing layers.
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 comfortable, eco-friendly, and effective alternative for managing menstrual and incontinence flows, with enhanced absorbency, leak resistance, and reduced risk of odor and health issues, allowing for thinner and more user-friendly garments.
Implementation Method 1
the technical face forms eyelet openings formed by a tuck stitch being held in a repeated pattern to expose the underlying hydrophilic yarns of the technical back to wick moisture away from the technical face
Implementation Method 2
a first portion of the yarns are hydrophilic and a second portion of the yarns are hydrophobic, whereby a technical face of the fabric forms an eyelet mesh utilising both hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns
Implementation Method 3
a moisture absorbing layer with split synthetic fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A protective garment, gussets for protective garments, and individual gusset layers, being a moisture wicking layer, a core moisture absorbing layer and a moisture impermeable layer, and combinations thereof. The moisture wicking layer including a double knit fabric wherein a technical face of the fabric forms an eyelet mesh utilising both hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns and a technical back of the fabric forms an interlock utilising only hydrophilic yarns. The moisture absorbing layer including a sinker terry fabric knit comprising sinker loops with plush loops made form synthetic fibres treated with a hydrolysing enzyme that splits the fibres into fibrils. The moisture impermeable layer including a base fabric knit laminated with a polyurethane sheet.