Removable Test Coupons for Garment Toxic Substance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for chemical content testing of garments worn by fire emergency workers and others exposed to toxic chemicals require destruction of the garments, which is costly and inadequate, leading to increased exposure risks due to contaminated garments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating multiple test coupons into garment construction that are identical to the garment materials, allowing for periodic destructive testing without damaging the garment, enabling the detection of foreign substances and changes in material properties over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional chemical content testing methods are used on garments, then toxic substances can be detected, but the garment is destroyed and cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of toxic substancesVSAvoiduseful life of garment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is segmented into functional components by incorporating separate test coupons that can be independently removed for testing. These coupons are integrated into the garment construction but can be detached without damaging the main garment structure, allowing testing while preserving the garment's useful life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Test coupons are created as copies of the actual garment materials and construction. These coupon samples replicate the garment's fabric layers, stitching, and material composition, allowing destructive testing of the copy while the original garment remains intact for continued use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Duration of action of stationary object

If multiple test coupons are incorporated in the garment construction, then periodic testing can be performed without destroying the garment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful life of garmentVSAvoidgarment construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The garment construction is segmented to include discrete, removable test coupons that are separately integrated into the garment structure. This segmentation allows the coupons to be independently accessed and removed for testing while maintaining the integrity of the main garment construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test coupons serve multiple functions: they are part of the garment construction providing material representation, they can be independently removed for testing, and they allow periodic monitoring without requiring complex testing systems. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding coupons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9874505B2Verification of garment properties using multiple test coupons

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 TACTICAL MEDICAL SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Multiple test coupons are incorporated in the construction of a personal garment for the purpose of determining the presence of foreign substances acquired during garment use or a change in properties or other change in characteristics over time. Each of the test coupons is retained with the garment during the useful life of the garment until the coupon is individually removed for test purposes. Each test coupon has a construction identical to the garment construction and is easily removable and configured to allow for destructive testing. Sufficient multiple coupons are provided with each garment over its life to allow for periodic testing.