Continuous Waistband Compression Garment for Pregnant Women

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compression garments for pregnant women with side seams cause discomfort, limited belly support, and high manufacturing costs, making them impractical, uncomfortable, and difficult to fit.

Innovation Solution

A compression garment comprising tights and a belt assembled with an elastic seam, featuring a first band for skin contact and a second, less elastic band for reinforcement, with adjustable ends and a process that includes heat-sealing and calendering for durability and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If side seams are used in the waistband, then the garment can be assembled from multiple fabric portions, but the seams cause discomfort by pinching the pregnant woman's belly and limit belly support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the waistband into a continuous piece of fabric that extends around the entire waist without side seams. The belt is constructed as a single continuous band that wraps around the pregnant woman's waist, eliminating the need for separate front and back sections joined by seams. This merging of components removes the pinching discomfort caused by side seams while maintaining the structural integrity and support function of the waistband.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If side seams are used in the waistband, then the garment can be constructed from multiple fabric portions, but the seams weaken under belly weight and can loosen or tear over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the waistband into a continuous piece of fabric that extends around the entire waist without side seams. The belt is constructed as a single continuous band that wraps around the pregnant woman's waist, eliminating the need for separate front and back sections joined by seams. This merging of components removes the pinching discomfort caused by side seams while maintaining the structural integrity and support function of the waistband.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the waistband into two functional layers: a first elastic band for comfort and fit, and a second reinforcement band for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally - the elastic band provides stretch and comfort while the reinforcement band maintains durability and support under the weight of the belly, preventing the loosening and tearing issues associated with single-layer seam constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If multiple layers of fabric are used in the belt, then the garment provides structural support, but it becomes difficult to put on the pregnant woman's waist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidease of wearing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the first band elastic and stretchable, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the pregnant woman's waist circumference. The elastic properties enable the belt to be easily stretched during putting on and then maintain its position through elastic recovery. The combination of elastic and reinforcement bands creates a dynamic structure that is both easy to wear and provides structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different parts of the belt. The first band is made of elastic material for comfort and ease of wearing, while the second band is made of less elastic reinforcement material for structural support. This local differentiation of material properties allows the belt to be both easy to put on and structurally sound.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If multiple parts of the belt are assembled together, then the garment provides structural support and functionality, but it generates high manufacturing costs and limits tailor-made options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the waistband into a continuous piece of fabric that extends around the entire waist without side seams. The belt is constructed as a single continuous band that wraps around the pregnant woman's waist, eliminating the need for separate front and back sections joined by seams. This merging of components removes the pinching discomfort caused by side seams while maintaining the structural integrity and support function of the waistband.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal belt design that can accommodate different waist sizes and pregnancy stages through the use of elastic materials and adjustable fastening systems. The same basic structure serves multiple functions: providing support, accommodating growth, and allowing for customization without requiring multiple different garment variants. This universality reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while enabling tailor-made fit options.

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 solution provides a comfortable, practical, and cost-effective compression garment that maintains belly support during pregnancy, relieves back pain, and allows for easy fitting and customization.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-sealing operation by pressing the second strip onto the first strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat-sealing: Heating

Implementation Method 2

After the heat-sealing operation, the belt can be laminated between two heated cylinders of a calender

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalendering: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3836873B1Compression clothing for pregnant women, and its manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 SIGVARIS AG
  • EP3836873B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3836873B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a support garment (1) for a pregnant woman, comprising tights (10) and a belt (20) that are joined together, the tights (10) being a medical compression orthosis or a regular stocking, characterized in that the belt (20) comprises: a first band (30), which extends uninterruptedly around the entire waist between two contiguous ends (31, 32), and which is intended to be placed in contact with the skin, over the belly and back of the pregnant woman, by winding or by employing adjusting means (60) disposed at the two ends (31, 32), and a second band (40) made of material that is less elastic than the first band (30) and disposed in a reinforcing manner over the latter in order to support the burgeoning belly and thus relieve the back of the pregnant woman. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a support garment (1) for a pregnant woman.