Garment Closure with Biasing Retainer for Panel Gape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing garment closure methods, such as sewing, extra buttons, double-sided tape, and pins, fail to effectively prevent gaps between shirt panels, especially when sitting, due to cost, time, and design modification issues, and pose hazards or damage to clothing.

Innovation Solution

A garment closure system featuring a first retainer with a biasing member and a second retainer, which can include a magnet assembly or clamping mechanism, to securely hold panels together without damaging the garment and allowing for easy use and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the placket is sewn together to prevent gape, then the gape is prevented, but the shirt cannot be put on or taken off easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegape preventionVSAvoidease of putting on and taking off

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into separate first and second retainers that can be independently attached to each panel, allowing the panels to be separated when needed for putting on or taking off the shirt, while still providing effective gape prevention when closed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A closure mechanism acts as an intermediary between the two panels, providing a reversible connection that prevents gape when engaged but allows easy separation when disengaged, unlike permanent sewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If extra buttons are provided to prevent or reduce gape, then gape may be reduced for certain wearers, but the number of buttons increases making it difficult to put the shirt on and off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegape preventionVSAvoidease of putting on and taking off

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer system serves multiple functions: it prevents gape, allows easy attachment and detachment, and can be positioned at different locations along the placket to accommodate different body shapes, replacing the need for multiple buttons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If double-sided tape is used to prevent shirt panels from separating, then gape is prevented, but the tape is not reusable and can cause discolouration to the shirt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegape preventionVSAvoiddiscolouration and non-reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer acts as an intermediary device that prevents direct contact between adhesive tape and the shirt fabric, eliminating discolouration risks while providing a reusable closure mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces disposable tape with a durable, reusable retainer system that can be used repeatedly without degrading or causing damage to the garment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If pins are used to prevent shirt panels from separating, then gape is prevented, but pins are difficult to attach in the correct position, present a stabbing hazard, and can cause holes to form in the shirt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegape preventionVSAvoidstabbing hazard and holes in shirt

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer serves as a safe intermediary device that provides effective gape prevention without the hazardous properties of pins, eliminating stabbing risks and fabric damage while maintaining closure functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful approach of using pins into a beneficial safe mechanism that achieves the same gape prevention goal without the associated dangers and damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reusable, aesthetically pleasing, and durable closure that prevents gaps between shirt panels, adjustable for different body shapes and sizes, without the hazards of pins or damage from tape, maintaining the original garment design.

Implementation Method 1

a first retainer including a biasing member, for retaining the first panel of the garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second retainer, coupled to the first retainer, for retaining the second panel of the garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10827790B2Garment closure

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 BURDETT JOHANNA

AI summary

A garment closure is provided for closing a gape formed between first and second panels of a garment. The garment closure has a first retainer including a biasing member, for retaining the first panel of the garment; and a second retainer, coupled to said first retainer, for retaining the second panel of the garment, to thereby close a gape between the lower panel and the upper panel of the garment.