Reusable Absorbent Pant Structure With Removable Leak-Control Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent products, particularly durable reusable ones, suffer from insufficient capacity and fluid handling performance, leading to leakage during all-day wear due to poor fit or improper placement, resulting in soiling of clothing or bedding.

Innovation Solution

A durable absorbent pant designed with a knitted or woven structure, incorporating a gusset with a wearer-facing liquid permeable top layer, a durable absorbent layer, and a liquid impermeable barrier layer, forming an enveloping structure to accommodate removable absorbent inserts, along with containment barriers to minimize leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a disposable absorbent pant is used, then hygiene and convenience are improved, but environmental pollution and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene and convenienceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent pant is divided into two separate components: a reusable outer pant and a disposable absorbent insert. The outer pant can be washed and reused multiple times, while only the absorbent insert is discarded after use. This segmentation reduces overall waste compared to disposing of entire pants, while maintaining the hygiene benefits of disposables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent insert is extracted as a separate removable component from the outer pant. This allows the insert to be replaced independently without discarding the reusable outer pant, separating the disposable functional element from the reusable structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a reusable absorbent pant is used, then environmental pollution is reduced, but absorbency and leak protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidabsorbency and leak protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the pant into reusable outer and disposable insert components, the system allows the outer pant to be environmentally friendly and reusable, while the insert provides reliable absorbency performance that can be replaced when depleted or soiled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent insert uses superabsorbent polymer materials that can absorb and retain large amounts of liquid, providing superior absorbency parameters compared to traditional reusable fabrics, while the outer pant maintains structural integrity and leak protection features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional absorbent materials are used, then cost is reduced, but absorbency and retention capacity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidabsorbency and retention capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent insert incorporates superabsorbent polymers that dramatically increase liquid absorption and retention capacity compared to traditional materials. These materials can absorb hundreds of times their weight in liquid, providing superior performance while being manufactured as a disposable component to control costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent insert uses composite materials including superabsorbent polymers combined with other absorbent layers and distribution layers, creating a multi-layer structure that optimizes both absorbency performance and cost-effectiveness through the strategic use of different material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If the absorbent pant is made to fit various body shapes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision and fit quality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit for various body shapesVSAvoidfit quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outer pant incorporates elastic waistbands and stretchable materials that dynamically adapt to different body shapes and sizes. The elastic components provide flexibility and conformability, allowing the pant to accommodate various anatomies while maintaining secure fit and preventing leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design provides improved capacity and fluid handling, ensuring all-day wear without leakage, maintaining dryness and freshness through enhanced fit and fluid containment.

Implementation Method 1

The absorbent pant includes an elastic waistband and elastic leg openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

removable absorbent insert designed to be placed within the absorbent pant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4577168B1Durable absorbent pant adapted for use with a removable absorbent insert
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP4577168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4577168B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4577168B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

This disclosure relates to durable absorbent pants adapted for use with removable absorbent inserts and designed to contain and absorb menstrual fluids.