Flexible Sheet Donning Aid for Compression Garment Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression garments, particularly technical swimsuits, are difficult to put on due to their delicate nature, resistance to sliding over the body, and the requirement for dry conditions, which increases mental and physical stress, especially for athletes who need to change quickly before competitions.
Innovation Solution
A compression garment donning aid comprising a pair of flexible sheets with mateable fasteners that assist in securing the garment around the user's waist and legs, allowing for easier sliding of the garment over the sheets and subsequent removal of the sheets from under the garment, facilitating a quicker and less stressful donning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the compression garment is slid directly over the body, then the garment provides compression, but it requires significant physical effort and time, especially when the body is wet or damp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary donning device that acts as a mediator between the user's body and the compression garment. This device includes a flexible support structure with fastening mechanisms that temporarily hold the garment in place during donning, reducing the friction and resistance that normally make the process difficult and time-consuming.
Solution Approach 2:
The donning process is segmented into distinct steps: first securing the garment at the waist using the fastening mechanism, then gradually working it down the body by releasing and re-securing at different levels. This breaks down the difficult single-action sliding process into manageable segments.
2Ease of operation
If the compression garment is handled directly without protection, then the donning process is simpler, but the delicate garment may be ripped or torn
Solution Approach 1:
The donning device serves as a protective intermediary that handles the garment during the donning process. The fastening mechanisms and support structure allow the garment to be secured and manipulated without direct hand contact, preventing snags, tears, and damage to the delicate fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The donning device incorporates flexible components that can move with the garment without causing stress concentrations or snagging. The smooth, flexible surfaces of the device allow the delicate garment to slide over it without catching on seams or rigid structures.
3Device complexity
If the compression garment is slid over the body in traditional manner, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process requires 45 minutes to an hour and causes mental and physical stress
Solution Approach 1:
While the donning device adds complexity to the system, it dramatically simplifies the operation. The device transforms a 45-60 minute stressful process into a much quicker and easier procedure by providing mechanical assistance through its fastening and support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The donning device enables the user to don the compression garment independently without requiring assistance from others. The self-contained fastening mechanisms allow the user to secure the garment to themselves, eliminating the need for help and reducing the mental stress associated with the difficult donning process.
Data Source
AI summary
Compression garment donning aid devices, methods, and kits including a compression garment donning aid with flexible sheets, each of the flexible sheets having: a sheet leg edge having a first sheet leg corner opposite a second sheet leg corner; a mateable sheet leg fastener attached to the first sheet leg corner and the second sheet leg corner; and a sheet waist edge opposite the sheet leg edge, the sheet waist edge having a front sheet waist corner opposite a back sheet waist corner. The donning aid further includes a sheet back fastener attached to the back sheet waist corner of one of the flexible sheets and the back sheet waist corner of the other of the flexible sheets; and a sheet front fastener attached to the front sheet waist corner of one of the flexible sheets and the front sheet waist corner of the other of the flexible sheets.