A Study for the Development of Disposable Diaspers for the Elderly in Need

거동 부자유 노인을 위한 일회용 기저귀 개발에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to develop disposable diapers for the elderly in need by experimenting with wearing disposable diapers and analyzing the properties of materials of these diapers. The diapers were of two different types: one was a panty type for the elderly who were bed ridden, and the other was a pad type for the elderly who had incontinence. The subjects for the wearing test of the panty type were forty who were bed ridden, and there were forty subjects for the wearing test of the pad type who had incontinence. The disposable diapers for these experiments were chosen from those already found in the market place. Four panty types and three pad types were selected. From these experiments for the disposable diapers, the first prototypes were developed, and the second prototypes were proposed by experimenting with the first prototypes. The first panty prototype was designed to improve absorbing power, and we added waist rubber bands to prevent evacuation from back leaking and a frontal tape to prevent waistline film from tearing. The first pad prototype was designed to improve absorbing power also, and we added side rubber bands to prevent the side leaking and an adhesive tape on the fore part of the bottom to prevent the diapers from moving, and made the outline of the back area curved and thin to help hide the diaper from detection thus making the wearer feel better. From these test cases and analyzing the properties of materials with the first prototypes, we gained some success, but several points on further improvements were proposed to refine the final prototypes. The second panty prototype we proposed was to make 1he length longer, especially in the crotch area to prevent excess leaking and to fit the body more snugly. Also, the second pad prototype was proposed to reduce the total thickness of the diaper, and to improve the feeling and appearance.