Fold-over Security Pocket with Distributed Fasteners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pockets fail to securely hold items during activity, leading to movement, loss, or damage due to inadequate closure mechanisms, as they rely on single snap-closures that can accidentally open.

Innovation Solution

A fold-over security pocket with a panel comprising two portions overlaid with hook and loop fasteners, a flexible hinge, and slit openings, which provides a robust closure by engaging multiple fastener connections across the inner-facing surfaces, ensuring items are securely stored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single snap-closure is used in conventional pockets, then the pocket structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the closure is unreliable and can accidentally open during activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure reliabilityVSAvoidclosure structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into multiple independent fastener connections distributed across the pocket opening. Instead of relying on a single snap-closure, the invention uses numerous fastener pairs (hooks and loops) arranged in arrays across the entire opening, so that failure of one connection does not compromise the overall closure reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple fastener connections are merged into a unified closure system that operates together. The fasteners are arranged in dense arrays across the pocket opening, creating a distributed network of connections that collectively provide robust closure while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a conventional pocket opening is used, then items can be easily accessed, but items move freely and can be lost or damaged during activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem retentionVSAvoiditem access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket structure incorporates a fold-over flap that dynamically transitions between open and closed states. The flap can be easily folded over to close the opening and secured by the distributed fastener system, then folded back to access items. This dynamic mechanism provides both secure retention during activity and easy access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The effective opening size parameter is changed by the fold-over flap mechanism. When the flap is folded over, the opening parameter transitions from fully open to effectively closed, preventing item loss. The flap design allows this parameter change to occur easily through simple folding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 security pocket effectively reduces item movement and loss by leveraging numerous fastener connections for a stronger closure, preventing accidental opening and enhancing the retention of items during activity.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible hinge portion separates the first and second portions. The flexible hinge portion enables the first and second portions to fold over onto one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A first portion is overlaid with fasteners (such as hook fasteners), a second portion includes complementary fasteners (such as loop fasteners)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3402352B1Security pocket
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP3402352B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3402352B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3402352B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fold-over security pocket (100, 142, 172, 190) is provided herein. The fold-over security pocket (100, 142, 172, 190) comprises a panel (102) having a first portion (104, 148, 174, 192) including an inner-facing surface that is overlaid with fasteners (178, 184, 196, 202), a second portion (110, 150, 176, 198) including an inner-facing surface that is overlaid with complementary fasteners (184), and a hinge portion (124, 152) separating the first portion (104, 148, 174, 192) from the second portion (110, 150, 176, 198). At least one of the inner-facing surfaces has a slit opening (116, 118, 158, 187) which extends into an interior space (128), so that an item may be inserted into the slit opening (116, 118, 158, 187) and stowed in the space (128). The hinge portion (124, 152) is flexible and enables the first portion (104, 148, 174, 192) to be folded over onto the second portion (110, 150, 176, 198) so that the inner-facing surfaces meet, and the fasteners (178, 184, 196, 202) mate with the complementary fasteners (184), thereby securing the pocket (100, 142, 190) in a closed configuration as well as any item inserted into the space (128) via the slit opening (116, 118, 158, 187).