Washable Sanitary Pad Structure for Fast Drying and Liquid Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washable sanitary products face challenges in achieving efficient liquid retention and drying times while maintaining a sense of dryness, often requiring complex and costly absorbent layers that complicate washing and drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A washable sanitary product design utilizing a spacer fabric as both a liquid distribution and retention layer, surrounded by a liquid impermeable container, reduces the need for additional absorbent layers, enhancing liquid retention and drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If absorbent layers are used in washable sanitary products, then liquid retention capacity is improved, but washing and drying time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous foam material as the absorbent layer that can rapidly absorb and retain large volumes of liquid. The porous structure enables fast capillary action for liquid uptake while maintaining quick drainage properties, allowing the product to achieve both high liquid retention capacity and fast drying performance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining foam material with cellulose wadding layers. The foam provides rapid absorption and retention, while the cellulose layers offer additional absorbency and distribution. This composite approach optimizes both liquid retention capacity and washing/drying characteristics by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials
2Quantity of substance
If multiple layers are used to achieve liquid retention, then liquid distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the primary absorbent layer for liquid retention, serves as a distribution layer through its porous structure that spreads liquid evenly, and provides a barrier function. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated distribution and absorption layers, reducing overall product complexity while maintaining effective liquid management
3Quantity of substance
If absorbent materials are used nearest the skin, then liquid retention is improved, but sense of dryness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the foam absorbent layer nearest to the skin surface, utilizing its rapid capillary absorption properties to quickly wick away liquid from the skin contact area. The foam's porous structure enables fast liquid uptake right at the skin interface, creating a dry feeling immediately upon contact. Additional outer layers provide secondary absorption and distribution, ensuring liquid is rapidly removed from the skin area while maintaining overall retention capacity
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 ensures rapid liquid distribution and retention, reduces washing and drying times, and lowers production costs, making it suitable for widespread use, especially in third-world countries.
Implementation Method 1
a spacer fabric which is a three-dimensional fabric that comprises a first layer that is connected to a second layer by intermediate threads
Implementation Method 2
The third layer, the absorbent core makes the fluid immobile within the structure and hold without releasing the fluid under normal pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive concept relates to a washable sanitary product. The sanitary product comprises a liquid impermeable back sheet, a liquid retaining pad, having an outer surface area adapted to reside nearest the skin of the user and an inner surface resting against the back sheet, wherein a peripheral portion of said back sheet extends radially outside a perimeter of said liquid retaining pad. The sanitary product further comprises a liquid impermeable annular liner being sealingly attached to the outer surface of the liquid retaining pad along the peripheral portion of the liquid retaining pad by a first seal and to the peripheral portion of the back sheet by a second seal, such that the peripheral portion of the liquid retaining pad is sandwiched between the back sheet and the liner. The annular liner and the back sheet together form a liquid impermeable container for said liquid retaining pad. The liquid retaining pad comprises least one element of spacer fabric that serves as both liquid distribution layer and as liquid retaining layer.