Washable Incontinence Undergarment With Reversible Insert Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing incontinence products, particularly single-use underwear, generate significant waste and are expensive, uncomfortable, and embarrassing for users, offering little to no absorbency and protection against bladder-related issues.
Innovation Solution
A washable undergarment design featuring a main body with a crotch portion containing a pocket for a reversible absorbent insert, utilizing water-resistant and absorbent layers to collect and manage bodily fluids, reducing waste and cost through washability and discretion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If single-use incontinence products are used, then absorbency and protection are provided, but significant waste is generated and costs increase over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a washable reusable undergarment system where the main body is designed to be laundered and reused multiple times, recovering the product value instead of discarding it after single use. This directly addresses the waste generation issue while maintaining absorbency protection through the reusable absorbent insert design.
Solution Approach 2:
The undergarment is segmented into a main body and a removable absorbent insert. This segmentation allows the main body to be washed and reused while the insert can be removed for washing or replacement, resolving the contradiction between reusability and absorbency maintenance.
2Reliability
If single-use incontinence products are used, then protection is provided, but costs become expensive over time
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the undergarment to be washable and reusable, the system recovers product value across multiple uses. The main body and absorbent insert can be laundered and reused numerous times, significantly reducing per-use costs compared to disposable products while maintaining reliable protection through consistent performance across the product lifecycle.
3Reliability
If standard underwear is used, then comfort and discretion are provided, but absorbency and protection are minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the comfort features of standard underwear with the absorbency functionality of incontinence products. The main body is constructed as comfortable underwear while integrating an absorbent insert with multiple layers (wicking layer, absorbent layer, barrier layer) that provides reliable absorbency without compromising the comfort and discretion of regular underwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent insert uses composite material construction with multiple functional layers including a wicking layer, absorbent layer, and barrier layer. This composite structure provides superior absorbency while maintaining the comfort and wearability of standard underwear through careful material selection and layer integration.
4Loss of substance
If washable reusable undergarment is used, then waste is reduced and cost decreases, but absorbency management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable absorbent insert is segmented from the main body, allowing it to be easily removed for washing or replacement. This segmentation simplifies the management of absorbency by enabling users to simply remove and wash the insert rather than managing complex integrated systems, thus reducing waste while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washable design allows the absorbent insert to be recovered through laundering rather than discarded. The simplified construction with distinct layers enables efficient washing and drying processes, reducing waste generation while keeping the absorbency management system simple and user-friendly through straightforward care instructions.
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 washable undergarment provides effective absorbency, reduces environmental impact, and enhances user comfort and discretion by allowing multiple uses without the need for disposal, making it a cost-effective and sustainable solution for incontinence protection.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent insert includes a wicking layer, an absorbent layer, and a barrier layer. The wicking layer is configured to draw liquids toward the absorbent layer
Implementation Method 2
The absorbent insert includes a wicking layer, an absorbent layer, and a barrier layer. The absorbent layer is configured to absorb and retain liquids
Implementation Method 3
The barrier layer is configured to resist liquid penetration and prevent egress from the absorbent insert
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An undergarment including a washable absorbent insert and a main body is disclosed. The main body includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a crotch portion having a pelvic end that adjoins the front portion and a buttock end that adjoins the rear portion. The crotch portion has a pocket for retaining the insert therein. The pocket is defined by a pocket outer wall and a pocket inner wall. The pocket outer wall is absorbent and configured to retain liquid therein the pocket. The pocket inner wall is at least water-resistant and proximal to a wearer when the undergarment is worn. The pocket inner wall has a face defining a longitudinal opening. The longitudinal opening is sized to allow for insertion and removal of the insert from the pocket. The longitudinal opening allows for liquid to be deposited directly on a wicking layer therein the pocket.