Reusable Absorbent Garment With Adjustable Straps for Multi-Size Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional menstrual and incontinence underwear is unsuitable for vending machines and other locations due to the need for multiple sizes and absorbencies, requiring large retail space and high maintenance costs, while disposable products are preferred due to their simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A reusable menstrual and incontinence garment with adjustable straps and a washable absorbent layer, allowing a single size to fit multiple dress sizes and ensuring a secure fit across various body types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional period underwear is provided in multiple sizes and absorbencies, then fit and absorption performance are improved, but retail space requirements and stock maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the strap lengths adjustable, allowing a single garment to dynamically adapt to different body sizes. The straps can be extended or shortened to accommodate various waist measurements, replacing the need for multiple fixed sizes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable fit across different users while requiring only one garment design in retail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the strap length parameter to be variable rather than fixed. The adjustable straps enable the same garment to change its effective size parameter to suit different users, eliminating the need to stock multiple size variants. This resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining proper fit (reliability) while reducing retail space requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional period underwear is provided in multiple sizes and absorbencies, then fit and absorption performance are improved, but stock maintenance costs and cash flow impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable strap mechanism allows a single garment design to serve multiple size requirements, dynamically adapting to different users. This eliminates the need to maintain complex inventory levels across multiple sizes, reducing stock maintenance costs and improving cash flow while maintaining reliable fit through user-adjustable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single garment that can serve multiple size functions through adjustable straps. One universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized size variants, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory management costs while maintaining reliable fit for various users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable straps are added to enable single size to fit multiple dress sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable strap mechanism provides dynamic adaptability, allowing users to modify the garment to fit their specific size requirements. While this adds some complexity compared to fixed-size garments, the adjustment mechanism is designed to be simple and intuitive, providing high adaptability with minimal added complexity.
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
Enables a single garment to accommodate different body sizes and shapes, providing effective fluid absorption and retention without leakage, while reducing environmental impact and inventory costs.
Implementation Method 1
a gusset comprising a washable and reusable absorbent layer configured for the absorption of menstrual fluid and/or urine
Implementation Method 2
The first and second straps may comprise an elasticated fabric. The elasticated fabric may be selected from cotton, modal (such as Tencel™), nylon or similar fabrics in natural fibre or blended with elastane for increased stretch.
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable menstrual and/or incontinence garment has a washable support sheet comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch area, a gusset comprising a washable and reusable absorbent layer configured for the absorption of menstrual fluid and/or urine, and a first strap joining the front portion to the rear portion on a first side and a second strap joining the front portion to the rear portion on a second side, wherein the lengths of the first and second straps are adjustable.