Hourglass Support Material for Shape Retention and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support materials for pillows and slippers lack durability, shape retention, and airflow circulation, leading to reduced comfort and inability to withstand washing, necessitating a support material with improved shape retention and cooling properties.
Innovation Solution
A closed-cell neoprene foam or rubber support material with an hourglass shape and recesses for cooling gel or scented oils, allowing for washability and maintaining shape under user force, while enhancing airflow and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open-celled foam or feathers are used as support material, then the pillow is comfortable and soft, but it cannot maintain its original shape after repeated use and cannot withstand washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from open-celled foam to closed-cell foam, which fundamentally alters the material's properties to achieve both comfort and shape retention while enabling washability
2Ease of operation
If a single layer of foam is used in slippers, then the slipper conforms to the user's foot shape, but it loses its structural ability to reform its original shape over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure with an outer wall and internal support material (closed-cell foam pellets) that work together to provide both conformability and structural integrity, allowing the slipper to maintain its shape while adapting to the foot
3Ease of operation
If miniature fibers are added to pellets during hot stamping to improve comfort, then the support material becomes more comfortable, but the manufacturing cost increases drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary miniature fibers from the pellet structure and instead creates surface indentations directly on the pellets themselves, eliminating the need for additional materials and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
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 hourglass-shaped support material maintains shape and comfort during repeated use, provides a cooling effect, and allows for easy sanitation, addressing the limitations of prior art by ensuring shape retention and improved user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a closed celled material, including, but not limited to neoprene foam or neoprene rubber... capable of being washed and dried... maintaining the shape of the pillow or slippers
Implementation Method 2
The at least one recess can facilitate in air circulation around the novel support material by the formation of pockets of cooler air
Implementation Method 3
The at least one recess can retain a substance such as a cooling gel... The novel support material having an hourglass shape can have at least one recess located on an outer wall surface of the support material. The at least one recess can retain a substance including, but not limited to, a gel or scented oil. This gel could have a cooling effect on a user
Data Source
AI summary
A support material having an hourglass shape reduces the cost of manufacturing as well as increasing comfort and air circulation. The support material includes a primary end having a primary diameter located opposite a secondary end having a secondary diameter. A substantially central portion of the support material has a tertiary diameter being a size less than the primary and secondary diameters. Additional improvements include an improved outer wall surface of the support material having at least one recess. The at least one recess can retain a substance such as a cooling gel.