Detachable Ash-Catcher Bib for Hot Ash Clothing Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smoking-related clothing damage from falling hot ash and embers is a common issue, particularly affecting synthetic or semi-synthetic fibers, leading to burn marks, holes, and potential personal injury, despite cautionary measures.

Innovation Solution

A wearable article with a bib portion and detachable ash catcher, made of fire-resistant and odor-absorbing materials, secures around the neck to protect clothing from ash and embers, featuring a U-shaped channel for collection and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If synthetic or semi-synthetic fiber garments are worn, then comfort and style are improved, but heat resistance deteriorates making them vulnerable to thermal damage from hot ash and embers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment comfort and styleVSAvoidthermal damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective bib as an intermediary layer between the smoker's clothing and the hot ash/embers. This bib acts as a mediator that intercepts thermal damage before it reaches the vulnerable synthetic fibers, allowing the wearer to maintain comfortable, stylish garments while protecting them from heat-related harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective bib is worn beforehand to cushion or absorb the impact of hot ash and embers before they can contact the clothing. This preventive measure creates a thermal barrier that reduces the severity of potential burns to the garments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a protective device is introduced to shield clothing from hot ash and embers, then garment protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment protection from thermal damageVSAvoidprotective device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into distinct functional components: a bib portion for body coverage, an ash catcher component for collecting debris, and a fastening mechanism for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable and not overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective bib serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects clothing from thermal damage, collects ash and embers in its integrated catcher, and can be securely fastened around the wearer's body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective items, simplifying the overall protective system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual removal of hot debris is attempted, then immediate cleaning is achieved, but personal injury risk increases due to burn injuries on the hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate debris removalVSAvoidpersonal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ash catcher component acts as an intermediary container that safely collects hot ash and embers, removing the debris from direct contact with the wearer's hands and body. This eliminates the need for manual removal while still achieving immediate cleaning by containing the hot debris in a dedicated compartment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces garment damage and personal injury by intercepting falling ash and embers, maintaining cleanliness and preventing odor transfer, while being easy to use and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

The bib portion is made of fire resistant and odor absorbing materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire resistance: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The bib portion is made of fire resistant and odor absorbing materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOdor absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260060344A1Wearable article to protect clothing from hot ash

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 DOURKOURE DARSTINE

AI summary

A wearable clothing protector comprising a bib portion, neck straps, and a removable ash catcher. The bib portion is made of a flexible composite sheet that may be multilayered, heat-resistant, fire-resistant, and odor-resistant, and is configured to cover the front torso of a wearer to protect clothing from hot ash, embers, and smoke. The neck straps secure the protector around the user's neck. A U-shaped ash catcher is removably mounted on the front surface of the bib portion to collect falling ash, embers, food crumbs, and other debris, and may also serve as a storage compartment for small items such as cigarette lighters or packets. The ash catcher is detachable for easy cleaning and may be made from fire-resistant rigid materials. The clothing protector is washable, reusable, and available in various designs and colors