Washable Outer Shell With Fold-Over Hook Covers for Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washable outer shells for absorbent articles face issues with impaired functionality and damage during washing due to hook materials interacting with other parts or items, leading to reduced lifespan and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
The outer shell features hook cover members on the outer surface that can be easily folded over the corner edges to protect the hook members during washing, reducing interaction with other materials and preventing damage, while maintaining hygiene and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hook members are provided on the washable outer shell for attaching absorbent assemblies, then the functionality of the outer shell is improved, but the hook members deteriorate and attach to other items during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful hook members are extracted from the washing process by providing removable hook cover members that can be taken off before washing and set aside separately, preventing the hook members from contacting other items and deteriorating during the washing cycle
Solution Approach 2:
Hook cover members are introduced as intermediary protective elements that cover the hook members during storage and washing, acting as a barrier between the hook material and other items in the washing machine or storage environment
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the outer shell is made washable and reusable, then economic and environmental benefits are achieved, but washing leads to impaired functionality of hook material
Solution Approach 1:
The hook cover members are provided in advance and can be removed before washing, allowing the outer shell to be washed without the hook members present, thus preserving hook material functionality while maintaining reusability of the outer shell
3Ease of operation
If hook members are left exposed on the outer shell, then attachment convenience is improved, but unwanted attachment to other parts during washing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hook cover members are designed to be dynamically removable and reattachable, allowing users to remove them before washing to prevent unwanted attachment, and reattach them afterward to restore attachment convenience for reuse
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a washable outer shell (1) for an absorbent assembly (2), the outer shell (1) including an inner surface (3) and an outer surface (4), the outer shell (1) has an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) and in the transverse direction (T), the outer shell (1) comprises a front region (5), a crotch region (6) and a rear region (7), the rear region (7) including a first and a second corner region (7a,7b) and a rear central region (7c), the outer shell (1) including a first hook member (9a) provided in the first corner region (7a) and a second hook member (9b) provided in the second corner region (7b), the first corner region (7a) including a first corner outer edge (7a′) and the second corner region (7b) including a second corner outer edge (7b′), the outer shell (1) including a hook attachment zone (8).