Cold weather gear with wadding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cold-weather protection gear, such as sleeping bags, face issues with batting leaning, which reduces heat insulation and increases weight due to quilting or non-woven cloth solutions that compromise loft and cushioning.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a plurality of first and second linear members, comprising core and effect strands, between the lining and surface cloth to interlace with batting, preventing leaning while maintaining loft and reducing weight, and eliminating the need for partitions and seam tapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If quilting is used to prevent batting leaning, then batting stability is improved, but heat insulation deteriorates due to loft collapse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatting stabilityVSAvoidheat insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the batting retention function into discrete linear members spaced at intervals rather than continuous quilting. These linear members segment the space between lining and surface cloth, preventing batting migration without creating the continuous compression zones that quilting produces, thereby maintaining loft and heat insulation while achieving batting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniform quilting across the entire surface, the invention applies linear members at specific locations and orientations (including radial patterns from a central opening). This localized approach provides batting retention where needed while leaving other areas uncompressed, preserving the three-dimensional loft structure and thermal insulation properties of the batting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If partition is added to prevent batting leaning, then batting stability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatting stabilityVSAvoidsleeping bag weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of partitioning (batting retention) and implements it through minimal linear members rather than full partition structures. By taking out only the necessary elements to prevent batting leaning and arranging them in efficient patterns, the design achieves batting stability with significantly reduced material and weight compared to traditional partition systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding partitions to divide the space, the invention uses linear members that converge toward a central opening, inverting the traditional partition approach. This inverted radial pattern provides effective batting retention while using less material, reducing the overall weight of the sleeping bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If partition and seam tape are added to prevent batting leaning, then batting stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatting stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of partitioning, seam reinforcement, and batting retention into single linear members. These linear members serve multiple purposes: they prevent batting leaning, provide structural support, and eliminate the need for separate seam tapes and partitions. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components and assembly steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The linear members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they act as partitions to prevent batting migration, provide structural reinforcement, and maintain the sleeping bag's shape. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components like seam tapes and additional partitions, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving batting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If non-woven cloth is superposed to prevent batting leaning, then batting stability is improved, but loft and cushioning deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatting stabilityVSAvoidloft and cushioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses thin linear members instead of bulky non-woven cloth layers. These linear members provide the necessary structural support to prevent batting leaning while being thin and flexible enough to maintain the three-dimensional loft and cushioning properties of the batting. The linear members act as gentle guides rather than rigid constraints, preserving the natural compressibility and rebound of the batting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3928647B1Cold weather gear with wadding
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 MONT BELL CO LTD
  • EP3928647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3928647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3928647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cold-weather protection gear is provided, which can prevent leaning of batting, can be stored in a compact manner as compared with a case where non-woven cloths are superposed, is excellent in heat insulation and in feeling on the skin and is also excellent in productivity. A sleeping bag 1 which is an example of the cold-weather protection gear includes a first core strand 11 and a first effect strand 12 located between a lining 2 and a surface cloth 3. A plurality of the first core strands 11 are aligned at an interval in a second direction Y and extend in a first direction X. The first core strands may be a bundle of plural pieces thereof for use. A plurality of the first effect strands 12 extend from each of the first core strands 11 to the periphery of the first core strands 11 and interlace with the batting 4.