Foldable Yoga Mat Seams for Cushioning and Portability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional yoga mats lack the ability to maintain a folded configuration without unfolding, and they often compromise on thickness and width when folded, making them less practical for use and transport.

Innovation Solution

A foldable yoga mat design featuring multiple parallel seams that allow it to be folded into a section with double thickness while maintaining a wide surface area, enabling it to support both knees and feet, and can be easily carried due to its compact size, made from flexible materials like natural rubber or PVC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the yoga mat is folded to reduce size for transport, then portability is improved, but the thickness and cushioning are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolded sizeVSAvoidcushioning thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The yoga mat is folded multiple times to create a nested structure where layers are stacked within each other. The mat folds into a compact rectangle with multiple layers nested together, reducing the overall volume while maintaining the thickness of individual layers for cushioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mat uses multiple folding dimensions to reduce size. Instead of folding in one direction only, the mat is folded along multiple seams to create a compact three-dimensional package, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement to minimize volume while preserving surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the yoga mat is folded to compact size, then portability is improved, but the usable surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact sizeVSAvoidusable surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mat is divided into multiple sections by seams that allow independent folding. This segmentation enables the mat to be folded into a compact form while each section maintains its full surface area, allowing users to unfold and use the complete surface area when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional yoga mats are folded, then they can be transported, but they unfold and lose their compact form

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidfolded configuration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mat is pre-folded along specific seam lines during manufacturing to create predetermined fold paths. These pre-established seams guide the folding action and help the mat maintain its compact configuration, making it easier to fold and less likely to unfold accidentally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240350860A1Foldable Yoga Mat

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 SCHREY SCOTT M

AI summary

A foldable yoga mat has linear seams. The seams allow the foldable yoga mat to be folded along the linear seams. The seams are spaced far enough from an edge to define a flap that is wide enough for a typical person to stand or kneel on the folded flap. The flap is not so large that the folded flap prevents a user from having room to stand or kneel on a single ply, unfolded section. The folding flap allows a user to fold a flap of the mat to provide a two-ply portion (i.e., the folded flap) that provide the user with extra cushioning. Simultaneously, by folding a flap, a portion of the mat remains uncovered by the flap, is therefore only single play, which provides the user with better footing than thicker mats.