Design and Development of a Gusset for a Leakproof Menstrual Underwear with Enhanced Absorption
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Date
2024
Authors
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Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Abstract
Reusable menstrual underwear is an undergarment
designed to absorb and retain blood during the menstrual
cycle. It is generally made with multiple layers of wicking and
absorbing fabrics, including an additional barrier layer for
leak-proofing [1]. An ideal menstrual underwear should
possess adequate absorbency, mobility, leakage prevention,
and environmental sustainability [2]. However, current
commercially available products have the major limitations of
limited absorbency despite their high bulkiness [3],
insufficient gusset coverage, and limited durability [4].
The primary function of the skin-contact or wicking layer
is to promptly wick the fluids into the subsequent absorbent
layers [5]. Additionally, consumer reviews highlighted the
need to minimize the spread of fluid and prevent rewetting of
the skin contact surface [6]. The absorbent layer's role is to
retain the menstrual fluid within the gusset, while the barrier
layer prevents fluid leakage [7].
Despite existing research on menstrual underwear, a
limited number of them focus on the design and development
aspect [3]. Most studies and patents lack specific technical
details of each layer but follow the common three-layer gusset
layout consisting of wicking, absorbent, and barrier layers.
The wicking layer’s requirements for one-way fluid
transfer and maximum fluid spread in its outer surface can be
achieved with fabrics that have less hydrophilic yarns, lower
yarn counts, and higher filament counts on the skin-contact
surface compared to the outer surface [8]. Weft-knitted spacer
fabrics can satisfy this requirement, and they also possess the
advantages of low bulk density, layered structure capability,
good absorbent capacity, and design flexibility [9]. However,
the use of spacer fabrics for enhanced wicking and absorbency
in menstrual underwear has not been explored in published
literature. Electrospun nanofibrous mats have the potential to
significantly improve absorbency levels while using
sustainable and non-toxic raw materials such as Sodium
alginate and Chitosan [10]. Thus, it could further enhance the
absorbency of the gusset.
This study aims to address the major limitations of existing
reusable menstrual underwear by designing and developing an
effective gusset with enhanced absorbency, wicking,
coverage, and leak-proofing. It also seeks to address the scarcity of published literature on reusable menstrual
underwear design and development, focusing on Sodium
alginate-based electrospun mats and spacer fabrics to enhance
absorbency and wicking.
Description
TERS 2024
Citation
https://doi.org/10.31705/TERS2024.18