Unitary Jumpsuit with Dual-Zipper Drop-Panel for Lavatory Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flight suits for women are ill-fitting in the hip, thigh, and breast areas and do not provide adequate access for sanitary needs, as existing designs with drop-seats either lack sufficient opening depth or disrupt the suit's elasticity, making it inconvenient for urination and feminine hygiene tasks.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece jumpsuit with a 360-degree belt, a two-way tail-to-tail zipper in the front extending to the crotch, and a lapped two-way head-to-head zipper in the rear that opens to create a wide and deep drop-panel extending past the knees, allowing easy access and comfort for both men and women.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional flight suit design is used, then the suit maintains a simple one-piece structure, but it requires complete removal of the suit for lavatory access and sanitary needs
Solution Approach 1:
The flight suit is segmented into multiple functional zones with different access mechanisms: a front zipper for upper body access, a rear drop seat for lower body access, and a crotch opening for sanitary needs. This allows selective access to different body areas without removing the entire suit, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a drop seat is added to the jumpsuit, then lavatory access is improved, but the drop seat interrupts the one-piece elasticity of the garment
Solution Approach 1:
The drop seat is designed as a localized opening with specific elastic properties in the rear portion of the garment. The elastic material is concentrated in the drop seat area to provide flexibility and comfort, while maintaining the overall integrity and elasticity of the one-piece suit structure. This local quality approach allows the drop seat to function independently without compromising the overall garment composition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drop seat opening is made wider and deeper, then access for curvier figures is improved, but the opening extends past the knees making it impractical for sanitary purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: the rear drop seat opening for lavatory access and the front crotch opening for sanitary needs. The rear opening extends past the knees to accommodate curvier figures, while the front opening provides separate access for feminine hygiene tasks. This segmentation allows each opening to be optimized for its specific purpose without interference from the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a front crotch opening as a third dimension of access, in addition to the rear drop seat and the front zipper. This front opening provides direct access to the crotch area for sanitary purposes, allowing women to perform hygiene tasks without needing to remove the suit or access the rear opening, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If a zipper closure is used for the drop seat, then access is improved, but the zipper location below the waistline interrupts the suit's appearance and elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper closure is localized to the rear drop seat area, providing functional access where needed while maintaining the appearance and elasticity of the suit in other areas. The elastic material is concentrated in the drop seat region, allowing the zipper to function without compromising the overall suit shape and appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary jumpsuit that facilitates lavatory access using a two-way tail-to-tail zipper in the front that subdivides the upper torso section and extends down below the waist to the crotch area, and a lapped two-way head-to-head zipper in the rear that extends along a seam from below the knees upward along each leg, upward and converging above the buttocks below the waist. The rear zipper releases a drop-panel. A wearer can fully open and/or close the drop-panel in one easy motion by zipping/unzipping each side of the rear double-pull zipper, using both hands to simultaneously pull both zipper-pulls across the waist and down each leg. The wider deeper drop-panel allows easier lavatory access for men and women and provides more comprehensive access for feminine sanitary needs.