Knit Technical Wire for Garment Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underwires in garments can cause discomfort, such as rashes, chafing, and restricted movement due to stiffness, as they are often too rigid and inflexible for optimal body support.

Innovation Solution

A knit technical wire is introduced, comprising interwoven first and second knit fabrics with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) yarn middle layer, providing a multi-material 'weave-in' construction that replaces conventional underwires, offering support without the discomfort and stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional underwires are used in garments, then body support is provided, but discomfort, rashes, chafing, and restricted movement occur due to stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody supportVSAvoiddiscomfort, rashes, chafing, restricted movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal or plastic underwires with a flexible knit technical wire constructed from interwoven knit fabrics. This flexible structure provides the necessary body support while conforming to the body's contours, eliminating discomfort, rashes, and chafing associated with rigid materials. The knit construction allows natural movement and breathing, resolving the contradiction between support strength and wearer comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The knit technical wire employs a composite construction combining multiple knit fabrics interwoven together to create a multi-layer structure. This composite material approach maintains the structural integrity and support function of traditional underwires while incorporating the flexibility and comfort of knit materials, thereby providing body support without the harmful effects of rigid conventional underwires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid underwires are used, then structural support is maintained, but movement is restricted due to inflexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmovement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The knit technical wire is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to adapt to body movements. The knit construction inherently provides elasticity and flexibility, enabling the wire to stretch and move with the wearer's body while maintaining structural support. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining stable structural support and allowing natural body movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing rigid underwires with a flexible knit construction, the patent enables the support structure to dynamically conform to changing body positions and movements. The flexible knit fabric maintains structural integrity through its interwoven construction while allowing the adaptability needed for unrestricted movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11771143B2Garment having knitted technical wire

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 INDHOUSE LTD

AI summary

A knit garment having a knit technical wire is disclosed herein. The knit technical wire has two interwoven knit layers, such that they form an exterior or outward surface and an interior or body-facing surface. In between the exterior and interior surfaces and are at least one strand of yarn. The yarn may be a TPU yarn. The knit technical wire is used instead of a conventional underwire. The garment may be a woman's bra or dress that may conventionally be made with an underwire.