Ready-to-Apply 3D Adhesive Patches for Garment Decoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process for applying three-dimensional designs to garments is cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple steps involving laminating, cutting, and adhering adhesive patches with three-dimensional structures, which is burdensome for garment manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

Ready-to-apply patches with an adhesive element and three-dimensional structures that can be quickly and efficiently adhered to fabric, using materials like polyurethane and thermoplastic polyurethane, and applied via a heat press, simplifying the process by reducing the number of steps required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the traditional multi-step process is used to apply three-dimensional designs to garments, then the design can be applied with three-dimensional structures, but the manufacturing process becomes overly complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applying three-dimensional designVSAvoidcomplexity of manufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate manufacturing steps into a single integrated adhesive patch product. The patch pre-assembles the adhesive layer, release paper, and three-dimensional structures during manufacturing, so that the end user only needs to perform the final application step. This merging of operations resolves the contradiction by reducing process complexity while maintaining the three-dimensional design capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive patch is prepared in advance with all necessary components (adhesive, release paper, three-dimensional structures) assembled during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the garment manufacturer to perform intermediate steps like laminating and cutting, thereby simplifying the application process while preserving the three-dimensional effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the traditional multi-step process is used to apply three-dimensional designs to garments, then the design can be applied with three-dimensional structures, but the manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applying three-dimensional designVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the preparation steps (laminating, cutting, assembling three-dimensional structures) into the patch manufacturing process itself, the patent eliminates time-consuming intermediate steps at the garment manufacturing stage. The patch arrives ready-to-apply, significantly reducing the time required to implement three-dimensional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

All preparatory actions are performed in advance during patch manufacturing, including adhesive application, release paper attachment, and three-dimensional structure assembly. This preliminary action transfers the time investment to the manufacturing phase, allowing for rapid deployment at the garment manufacturing stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If ready-to-apply patches with pre-assembled three-dimensional structures are used, then the application process is simplified and time is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity shifts to the patch production stage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of applying patches to garmentsVSAvoidease of manufacturing adhesive patches

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the manufacturing process into two distinct phases: patch manufacturing (with higher complexity but done once) and garment application (with lower complexity and repeated many times). This segmentation allows the complexity to be concentrated in a controlled manufacturing environment where it can be optimized, while the end-use process remains simple and fast.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive patch is designed to be self-contained with all necessary components (adhesive, release paper, three-dimensional structures) integrated into a single unit. This self-service design eliminates the need for the garment manufacturer to source and assemble multiple separate components, making the application process simple despite the sophisticated internal structure of the patch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution streamlines the application of three-dimensional designs to garments, reducing the complexity and time required for manufacturing, while providing a decorative or functional profile on the clothing.

Implementation Method 1

applying heat to adhere the three-dimensional structures to the patch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive element and one or more three-dimensional structures connected to the adhesive element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20240365894A1Adhesive patch and methods of making the same

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 BEMIS ASSOCIATES INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are ready-to-apply patches having three-dimensional structures that may be adhered to a piece of clothing and methods of producing the same.