Reusable Swimwear Containment Insert for Waste Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional swimwear garments are ineffective in containing human waste such as urine, feces, and sweat, leading to contamination of aquatic environments, discomfort, and safety issues, especially for children, due to bulkiness and limited reusability.
Innovation Solution
A reusable swim garment with a containment insert comprising a filter layer, absorbent layer, and waterproof layers that filter out solid waste, absorb liquids, and prevent leakage, designed to be comfortable, adjustable, and durable for repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional swim diapers are used to contain human waste, then waste containment is provided, but the diaper becomes bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The containment garment is divided into multiple functional layers: a waterproof outer layer, an absorbent intermediate layer, and a filter layer with solid waste collection chamber. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining a thin, comfortable overall profile that prevents bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter layer utilizes porous material with specific pore sizes to physically block solid waste particles while permitting liquid passage. This porous structure provides effective solid waste containment without requiring thick, bulky material, thus maintaining garment comfort and flexibility.
2Reliability
If traditional swim diapers are used to contain human waste, then waste containment is provided, but the diaper weighs the child down and restricts movement
Solution Approach 1:
The filter layer utilizes porous material with specific pore sizes to physically block solid waste particles while permitting liquid passage. This porous structure provides effective solid waste containment without requiring thick, bulky material, thus maintaining garment comfort and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment employs thin, flexible waterproof and absorbent layers that conform to the child's body without adding significant weight or restriction. The thin-film construction ensures the garment remains lightweight and non-restrictive while maintaining containment functionality.
3Duration of action of moving object
If traditional swim diapers are washed repeatedly, then reusability is attempted, but the quality and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The garment combines multiple materials with complementary properties: a waterproof layer (PUL or coated nylon), an absorbent layer (hydrophilic foam or terry fabric), and a filter layer (perforated mesh or knitted hole fabric). This composite construction ensures each layer maintains its functional properties through repeated washing, with the waterproof layer preventing saturation and the filter layer retaining its particle-blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment garment is divided into multiple functional layers: a waterproof outer layer, an absorbent intermediate layer, and a filter layer with solid waste collection chamber. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining a thin, comfortable overall profile that prevents bulkiness.
4Ease of operation
If traditional swimwear is used, then comfort and mobility are provided, but human waste migrates into the swimming environment causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The garment employs thin, flexible waterproof and absorbent layers that conform to the child's body without adding significant weight or restriction. The thin-film construction ensures the garment remains lightweight and non-restrictive while maintaining containment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment applies containment functionality locally where needed: the filter layer and solid waste collection chamber are positioned to capture solid waste at its source, while the absorbent layer targets liquid waste. This localized approach provides effective containment without requiring a bulky overall structure, maintaining comfort and mobility.
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 swim garment effectively contains human waste, reducing environmental contamination, ensuring user comfort and safety, and extending its lifespan through washability without deterioration, thus minimizing facility closures and enhancing swimming safety for all ages.
Implementation Method 1
a filter layer that filters out solid human waste
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid human waste
Implementation Method 3
one or more waterproof layers that prevent or reduce liquids from penetrating through the containment insert
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a reusable swim garment capable of containing excreted human waste. The swim garment may comprise a swim brief and/or shell. The swim garment may provide level(s) of protection for containing excreted human waste, helping reduce or eliminate swimming facility closures and providing comfort to both the user and other occupants in the swimming facility. The plurality of levels of protection are provided by two or more of: safety stitches in one or more elastic bands (e.g., leg-receiving elastic bands, torso-receiving elastic band), grippers to create a seal at the user's waist and/or legs, fasteners used to temporarily attach or remove the swim garment to or from the user, or a containment insert. The containment insert may comprise layer(s) that absorb the human waste, confine human waste, or prevent or reduce exchange of liquids between the swim garment and the swimming environment.