Elongatable Waist Edge Overall for Hygienic Toilet Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overalls are uncomfortable and unhygienic during toilet visits due to the bib section and suspenders hanging loose, and they require time to remove and put back on, lacking a unisex design suitable for both male and female wearers.

Innovation Solution

An overall with an elongatable waist edge connected to a bib section, allowing the rear portion to be lowered over the buttocks while the front portion remains in place, using suspenders that form a loop around the neck or cross at the back to prevent hanging, and adjustable connections for a secure fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the overall is designed as a unisex garment with a fixed waist edge, then it can be worn by both male and female staff members, but the bib section and suspenders hang loose during toilet visits creating hygiene issues and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunisex suitabilityVSAvoidtoilet visit convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The waist edge is made dynamically adjustable through an elongatable portion that can be extended when the wearer needs to visit the toilet. This allows the rear portion of the pants section to be lowered over the buttocks while the front portion remains in place with the bib section, eliminating the hanging loose problem during toilet visits while maintaining unisex suitability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The waist edge is divided into an elongatable portion and a non-elongatable portion. The elongatable portion can be extended to allow the pants section to be lowered during toilet visits, while the non-elongatable portion maintains the structural integrity and fit of the overall when not in use, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the overall is designed with a fixed waist edge structure, then it maintains a secure fit, but it requires complete removal and reattachment during toilet visits increasing time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitVSAvoidtoilet visit time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The waist edge incorporates a dynamic elongatable portion that can be quickly extended to lower the rear portion of the pants section over the buttocks during toilet visits. This dynamic adjustment allows the overall to maintain a secure fit while enabling quick access to the toilet without complete removal and reattachment, reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elongatable portion is extracted as a separate functional element from the fixed waist edge structure. This allows the waist edge to have different functional states: a fixed state for maintaining secure fit during normal wear, and an extended state for allowing toilet access, thereby reducing the time required for toilet visits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the waist edge is made elongatable to allow rear portion lowering, then toilet convenience is improved, but the overall may appear oversized or have parts hanging loose when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoilet access easeVSAvoidoverall fit appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The waist edge is designed with an elongatable portion that remains retracted during normal wear, maintaining the overall's fitted appearance. When toilet access is needed, the elongatable portion can be quickly extended to lower the rear portion of the pants section. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by keeping the overall looking fitted most of the time while providing ease of operation during toilet visits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Only the rear portion of the waist edge is made elongatable, while the front portion remains fixed. This local quality differentiation allows the overall to maintain its fitted appearance and shape during normal wear, while providing the necessary flexibility for toilet access when needed, preventing the overall from appearing oversized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the overall is designed without elongatable portions, then it maintains a clean appearance and prevents safety risks from hanging parts, but it cannot be adjusted for toilet visits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety risks from hanging partsVSAvoidtoilet visit capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elongatable portion is designed to be retracted during normal wear, eliminating hanging parts that could pose safety risks. When toilet access is needed, the elongatable portion can be dynamically extended to lower the rear portion of the pants section. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by preventing safety risks during normal wear while providing toilet visit capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elongatable portion is extracted as a hidden functional element that is not visible or protruding during normal wear, thereby eliminating safety risks from hanging parts. When needed, this extracted portion can be extended to provide toilet access capability, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4426152B1An overall
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
  • EP4426152B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4426152B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4426152B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An overall is provided, the overall comprising - a pants section having a waist edge, - a bib section connected to the pants section at a frontside of the overall; - at least a first suspender connected by a first outer end to the bib section and adapted to be positioned over a shoulder such that the bib section is held in place when worn; wherein the waist edge is elongatable along at least a first elongatable portion such that a rear portion of the pants section can be lowered over the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer is seating while a front portion of the pants section remains in place together with the connected bib section, the at least a first elongatable portionbeing connected to the bib section.