Reusable Menstrual Pad with UV-C Sanitization and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional menstrual pads generate non-biodegradable waste and can cause infections due to direct contact with bacteria-laden blood stains, necessitating an environmentally-friendly and sanitary reusable solution.
Innovation Solution
A reusable menstrual pad design featuring an interior layer with a drainage opening, a middle layer with a sanitizing menstrual fluid collection unit, and an exterior layer for concealment and leakage prevention, supported by a hydrophobic frame, which includes breathable and water-repellent materials to prevent skin contact and bacterial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional menstrual pads are used to absorb menstrual fluid, then moisture absorption is achieved, but non-biodegradable waste is generated and bacterial infections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The menstrual pad is divided into three distinct layers: an interior layer that contacts the user and drains fluid, a middle layer that sanitizes and collects fluid, and an exterior layer that prevents leakage. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while enabling the interior layer to be separated for cleaning and reuse, reducing waste generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior layer is designed to be removable and reusable after cleaning, while the middle and exterior layers remain in place. This allows the user to discard only the contaminated interior layer after proper cleaning, rather than discarding the entire pad, thereby reducing non-biodegradable waste while maintaining hygiene.
2Reliability
If conventional menstrual pads are disposed of after each use, then hygiene is maintained, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interior layer can be removed, cleaned, and reused multiple times, significantly reducing the amount of waste generated. The sanitization system in the middle layer ensures that the interior layer can be effectively cleaned and disinfected, maintaining hygiene standards while reducing environmental pollution from disposable pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The menstrual pad incorporates an automatic sanitization system using zinc oxide and UV-C LED lights that actively clean and disinfect the interior layer after use. This self-service sanitization capability enables the interior layer to be reused without compromising hygiene, thereby reducing waste and environmental pollution.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the entire menstrual pad is made reusable, then waste reduction is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into three layers with distinct functions, allowing the complex sanitization system to be confined to the middle layer while the interior and exterior layers remain relatively simple. This segmentation makes the manufacturing process more manageable compared to making the entire pad uniformly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a barrier, contains the sanitization system with zinc oxide and UV-C LEDs, collects menstrual fluid, and provides structural support. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single middle layer, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to having separate components for each function.
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 reduces waste generation, prevents bacterial infections by sanitizing menstrual fluid, and maintains hygiene through effective fluid management and leakage prevention, while being environmentally friendly and comfortable to use.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer comprising a zinc oxide layer configured to sanitize the menstrual fluid
Implementation Method 2
a menstrual fluid collection unit positioned between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the menstrual fluid collection unit comprises a UV-C LED configured to emit a UV-C light
Implementation Method 3
supported by a hydrophobic frame
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses of reusable menstrual pad and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, a menstrual pad includes an interior layer includes an excretion area, where the excretion area includes an opening configured to drain menstrual fluid of a user away from the interior layer; a middle layer configured to house a menstrual fluid collection unit, where the menstrual fluid collection unit is configured to sanitize the menstrual fluid drained from the interior layer and to store the sanitized menstrual fluid to one or more menstrual napkins in the middle layer; an exterior layer configured to conceal and prevent leakage from the middle layer of the menstrual pad; and a support frame configured to hold the interior layer, the middle layer and the exterior layer of the menstrual pad together.