Washable Incontinence Undergarment With Removable Absorbent Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing incontinence products are single-use, generating waste and being expensive, uncomfortable, and embarrassing for users, while standard underwear offers little to no absorbency for bladder-related issues.
Innovation Solution
A washable undergarment with a removable absorbent insert and a pocket system that includes water-resistant and absorbent layers, allowing for liquid collection and distribution, and a reversible design for comfort 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 reusable main body garment with removable absorbent inserts. The main body is designed to be washed and reused multiple times, while only the absorbent inserts are discarded after single use. This approach recovers the main garment structure from the disposable system, significantly reducing waste generation while maintaining reliable absorbency protection through fresh inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The incontinence product is divided into two distinct components: a reusable main body garment and removable absorbent inserts. This segmentation allows the main body to be recovered and reused, while only the absorbent portion is discarded, resolving the contradiction between waste reduction and maintaining protection reliability.
2Reliability
If single-use incontinence products are used, then protection is provided, but costs become expensive over time for individuals and institutions
Solution Approach 1:
By recovering the main body garment through washing and reuse, the system eliminates the need to purchase new garments repeatedly. Only the absorbent inserts require periodic replacement, dramatically improving cost efficiency for both individual users and institutional facilities while maintaining consistent protection levels.
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 and discretion of standard underwear with the absorbency protection of incontinence products. The main body garment is designed with comfortable, washable fabrics that contact the wearer, while the removable inserts provide the necessary absorbency. This combination maintains ease of operation and comfort while achieving reliable absorbency protection.
4Loss of substance
If washable undergarment with removable insert is used, then waste is reduced and costs are lowered, but device complexity increases with multiple layers and components
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-layer structure is segmented into a reusable main body garment and removable absorbent inserts. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by allowing the complex absorbent structure to be contained in separate, replaceable units, reducing the complexity burden on the reusable portion while achieving waste reduction goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent insert component is extracted as a separate, removable element from the main body garment. This extraction allows the main body to be simpler in structure and easier to maintain, while the absorbent functionality is provided by the removable inserts that can be easily replaced without handling the entire garment structure.
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 reduces environmental waste, lowers costs over time, and provides effective absorbency and discretion for users with bladder-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The pocket outer wall is absorbent and configured to retain liquid therein the pocket
Implementation Method 2
The pocket inner wall is at least water-resistant and proximal to a wearer when the undergarment is worn
Implementation Method 3
the pocket wicking layer being configured to draw liquids toward to the at least one pocket absorbent layer
Implementation Method 4
the insert wicking layers being configured to draw liquids toward the plurality of insert absorbent layers
Implementation Method 5
each of the plurality of insert absorbent layers comprise a microfiber loop terry fabric
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
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 and a rear portion. The front portion includes a left front portion, a right front portion, and a pelvic portion adjoining the left front portion and the right front portion. The pelvic 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 central opening above a lower portion of the face. The central opening is sized to allow for insertion and removal of the insert from the pocket. The central opening allows for liquid to be deposited directly on a wicking layer therein the pocket. The present invention can be washable, which allows it to be less expensive over time, the undergarment creates less waste, which is better environmentally. In addition, the washable undergarment can be worn more discretely or inconspicuously.