Garment Interstitial Fastener Prevents Gapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shirts with button or snap closures often gap at areas between fasteners, creating an unflattering appearance due to the irregular shape of the human body, while zipper or hook and loop closures may be too casual for some occasions.
Innovation Solution
A garment design featuring a double layer placket with exposed and hidden fasteners, where the inner layer has more holes than the outer layer, allowing some fasteners to be hidden between aligned pairs, preventing gaps and maintaining a neat appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional button or snap closures are used, then the garment is easy to wear and has a simple structure, but gapping occurs at areas between fasteners creating an unflattering appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple layers: an outer layer with exposed fasteners for easy fastening, and an inner layer with additional hidden fasteners strategically positioned to prevent gapping. This segmentation allows the garment to maintain both ease of operation and appearance neatness by distributing fastening functions across different layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane fastening system to a multi-layered three-dimensional structure. The inner layer of placket with hidden fasteners adds a depth dimension, allowing fasteners to be positioned at different depths and locations to address gapping issues without compromising the simple outer appearance or ease of fastening.
2Shape
If zippers or hook and loop closure systems are used along the length of the opening, then gapping is prevented, but the appearance becomes too casual or unnatural for many situations
Solution Approach 1:
Different fastening qualities are applied to different locations: exposed buttons or snaps are used at visible areas for a traditional appearance, while hidden interstitial fasteners are strategically placed at specific locations (such as the chest or waist region) to prevent gapping only where needed. This local differentiation maintains formality while preventing unwanted gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner layer of placket acts as an intermediary element between the outer garment layers. It contains hidden fasteners that work behind the scenes to prevent gapping without being visible, thus mediating between the need for appearance neatness and the need to maintain a formal, natural look appropriate for various occasions.
3Shape
If a double layer placket with hidden interstitial fasteners is used, then gapping is prevented and appearance is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner and outer layers of placket are merged into a single integrated structure rather than separate components. The hidden fasteners are incorporated into the inner layer during manufacturing, creating a unified placket assembly that reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while still providing the gapping prevention function.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment includes a first side, possibly corresponding to a user's front. The first side includes left and right portions that each have a free mating edge. Fastener elements are attached to or formed in each of the right and left portions of the garment. One of the two portions includes a two layer placket. Some of the fastener elements include a portion on the outer layer of the two layer placket. At least one interstitial fastener element is positioned only on the inner layer and is between two other fastener elements that include a portion on the outer layer. The at least one interstitial fastener element may be positioned at a wearer's chest or waist region to minimize or eliminate gapping of the shirt in areas of larger girth.