Garment Ventilation System With Folded Concealed Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vent systems in garments are labor-intensive to manufacture, prone to imperfections, and restrict movement due to multiple pieces and stitch lines, which can lead to detachment and limited material choices for concealment under light-colored flaps.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system using folded panels with concealed vent holes, bonded together to maintain shape and flexibility, eliminating the need for excessive stitching and allowing precise placement of holes for effective ventilation without compromising aesthetics or durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple panels are stitched together to form the vent system, then the vent system can be assembled to provide ventilation, but the manufacturing process becomes labor-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate panels (upper flap, middle flap, vertical strip, lower panel) into a single integrated panel structure. The ventilation system is formed by folding and stitching the edges of one continuous panel rather than assembling multiple separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ventilation function through the folded geometry that creates the vent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The single panel is segmented through folding into functional regions: the upper flap portion, middle flap portion, vertical strip portion, and lower panel portion. These folded segments create the vent opening and concealment structure without requiring multiple separate panels to be stitched together, simplifying the manufacturing process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple stitch lines are used to assemble the vent system, then the panels can be securely joined, but the jacket becomes rigid and non-stretchable, impairing wearer movement
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple stitch lines into a single continuous stitch line that runs through the folded panel structure, the patent reduces the total number of stitching operations. This single stitch line secures the folded panels together while minimizing the cumulative rigidity effect of multiple separate stitch lines, thereby maintaining panel stability while improving wearer movement flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple horizontal stitch lines are used in the vent system, then the panels can be assembled together, but the jacket in the vented region becomes rigid and non-stretchable
Solution Approach 1:
The single continuous stitch line is segmented by the folded geometry of the panel into sections that correspond to the different panel portions (upper flap, middle flap, vertical strip, lower panel). This segmentation allows the stitch line to secure each folded section appropriately while maintaining the flexibility of the overall structure, as the folds themselves provide the necessary structural definition without requiring multiple horizontal stitch lines.
4Reliability
If the mesh is visible when the jacket is donned, then the venting function is clear, but the aesthetics of the jacket are interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh vent opening is nested within the folded panel structure, specifically within the lower panel portion that extends below the upper flap. The upper flap conceals the mesh from external view, while the folded geometry maintains the vent opening functional. This nesting allows the venting function to remain effective while the jacket maintains a clean, aesthetic appearance when worn.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment is provided including an overlap panel, an intermediate panel seamlessly joined with a first lower portion at an outer fold, the intermediate panel including an upper portion disposed above the first lower portion, and an inner panel seamlessly joined with the upper portion at an inner fold, the inner panel extending downward beyond the first lower portion of the overlap panel. The overlap panel, the intermediate panel and the inner panel form a unitary, continuous textile or body. At least one of the intermediate panel and the inner panel define a plurality of vent holes that are concealed by the overlap panel. The vent holes promote venting of air from an interior of the garment to an exterior of the garment or vice versa. A related method of manufacture also is provided.