Adhesive Hem Protector for Moisture and Debris

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hem protectors fail to effectively guard the edge of leg openings in trousers from moisture and debris, often damaging shoes or trousers, and do not address the issue of capillary action leading to wet trousers in rainy or snowy conditions.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof hem protector made from a flexible polymer sheet with an adhesive coating, designed to be attached to the trouser leg, providing protection from moisture and debris while being thin enough to bend with clothing and optionally featuring decorative elements or lighting, allowing for temporary hem adjustments without permanent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a protrusion is attached to the heel of the shoe to prevent the trouser leg from dropping below it, then the trouser leg is kept above the protrusion, but the edge of the leg opening is not guarded from moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of trouser leg droppingVSAvoidmoisture saturation at leg opening edge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hem protector is introduced as an intermediary component between the shoe and the trouser leg. This separate element attaches to the shoe and provides a barrier that both prevents the trouser leg from dropping below the shoe heel and creates a moisture barrier at the leg opening edge, resolving both protection needs simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hem protector serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical barrier to prevent the trouser leg from dropping below the shoe, and simultaneously serves as a moisture barrier to protect the leg opening edge from saturation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by addressing both protection needs with a single component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a fastener is used to attach the bottom of the trouser leg to the heel of the shoe, then the trouser leg is secured to the shoe, but the fastener can permanently damage the shoe and/or trouser leg

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment security of trouser leg to shoeVSAvoidpermanent damage to shoe and trouser leg

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hem protector is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that attaches to the shoe without damaging it. By making the attachment element sacrificial rather than permanent, the shoe and trouser leg are protected from damage while still achieving secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The hem protector serves as an intermediary attachment element between the shoe and trouser leg. This mediator provides the necessary attachment security while being designed to protect rather than damage the valuable components (shoe and trouser leg) it connects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a traditional hem protector is used that relies on interaction between trouser legs and shoes, then attachment is achieved, but moisture protection at the leg opening edge is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment between trouser leg and shoeVSAvoidmoisture saturation at leg opening edge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hem protector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the attachment function by securing the trouser leg to the shoe, and simultaneously provides moisture protection by creating a barrier at the leg opening edge. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between attachment and moisture protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 hem protector effectively prevents moisture and debris from entering the trouser leg, prolongs the life of the trousers, and allows for temporary length adjustments without damaging the fabric, while also enhancing appearance with decorative designs or illumination.

Implementation Method 1

A waterproof hem protector made from a flexible polymer sheet with an adhesive coating, designed to be attached to the trouser leg

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11659877B1Hem protector

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 GONZALES SONJA ANN

AI summary

A hem cover for use with a trouser leg constructed from at least one material having an interior side and an exterior side. The hem cover has an outwardly facing side opposite an inwardly facing side. The hem cover is positionable along an edge of the trouser leg and foldable to position a first portion of the inwardly facing side along the interior side and a second portion of the inwardly facing side along the exterior side of the at least one material. The inwardly facing side includes an adhesive layer configured to temporarily adhere to the first and second portions to the interior and exterior sides, respectively, to thereby cover a covered portion of the edge of the trouser leg.