Reusable Menstrual Shield and Liner with Detachable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In many developing countries, women lack access to affordable menstruation supplies, leading to isolation and missed school or work days during menstruation, highlighting the need for an affordable and reusable solution.
Innovation Solution
A reusable shield and liner system comprising layers of cloth with absorbent center regions and side regions, attached to a shield with a polyurethane laminate piece and various attachment mechanisms, allowing for easy use, washing, and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable menstruation products are used, then hygiene and convenience are improved, but cost and environmental waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable menstruation system consisting of a shield and liner that can be washed and reused multiple times. The shield is detached and washed separately from the liner, allowing both components to be recovered and reused, thereby eliminating the waste associated with disposable products while maintaining hygiene through repeated cleaning cycles
2Ease of manufacture
If reusable menstruation products are used, then cost and sustainability are improved, but cleaning complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The menstruation system is divided into two separate components: a shield and a liner. The shield can be detached from the liner and washed separately, allowing for more efficient cleaning. This segmentation enables the user to wash only the soiled liner or to wash both items simultaneously, reducing overall cleaning time and effort compared to washing a single integrated product
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is designed with attachment mechanisms (snaps, buttons, or zippers) that allow for quick detachment and reattachment. This preliminary preparation of the attachment system enables rapid separation of components before washing, reducing the time required for the cleaning process
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple cloth design is used, then affordability and ease of manufacture are improved, but absorbency and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is constructed with varying densities of cloth layers: a less dense first layer and a more dense second layer. This local variation in quality allows the denser region to provide enhanced absorbency where needed (at the interface with menstrual flow) while the less dense region maintains breathability and comfort, achieving reliable absorbency without requiring uniformly thick or complex construction throughout the entire product
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 system provides an affordable, comfortable, and hygienic solution for women during menstruation, reducing isolation and enabling continued participation in daily activities without the need for disposable products.
Implementation Method 1
Each layer of cloth in the layer comprises a more absorbent center region flanked by two side regions
Implementation Method 2
Each layer of cloth in the layer comprises a more absorbent center region flanked by two side regions
Implementation Method 3
The shield comprises a first piece; a second piece attached to a first side of the first piece to form a first pocket; a third piece attached to the first side of the first piece to form a second pocket; and a fourth piece attached to a second side of the first piece. In some embodiments, the fourth piece is made of polyurethane laminate
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable shield and liner for use by a woman during menstruation is disclosed. The liner has a predetermined shape and comprises two or more layers. The predetermined shape can be an octagon, a circle, or an oral. The shield contains one water-resistant layer.