Magnetic Shirt Collar Alignment System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for keeping a shirt collar properly aligned and fastened are either visible, heavy due to multiple magnets, or fail to attach to the shirt front, and can cause damage to delicate fabrics.

Innovation Solution

A collar stay with a magnet or magnetizable material that attaches to the inside of the collar and a corresponding magnet or magnetizable element on the shirt front, using magnetic attraction to hold the collar in place, with a protective cover to prevent fabric damage and optional adhesive or sewing for securement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If multiple magnets are used to hold the collar, then the holding force is sufficient, but the device becomes hefty and weighty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic holding system is divided into two separate components: a magnetic element embedded in the collar stay and a corresponding magnetic element on the shirt front. This segmentation allows each component to use fewer magnets (reducing weight) while the distributed magnetic attraction across both components maintains sufficient holding force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shirt front fabric acts as an intermediary medium through which magnetic attraction operates. The magnetic elements on the collar stay and shirt front attract through the fabric layers, eliminating the need for direct contact or multiple magnets while maintaining holding force through the intermediary magnetic field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the magnetic apparatus is placed directly on the shirt, then it can hold the collar, but it causes damage and wear to delicate fabrics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoidfabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cover made of soft, non-abrasive material is introduced as an intermediary between the magnetic apparatus and the shirt fabric. This cover prevents direct contact between hard magnetic components and delicate fabrics, eliminating damage while allowing magnetic attraction to operate through the covering material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is implemented as a thin, flexible layer that conforms to the shape of the magnetic elements. This thin film provides protection against fabric damage while remaining sufficiently transparent to magnetic fields to maintain holding force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the collar stay is made visible, then it can be easily positioned, but it is always visible which may not be desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning easeVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The collar stay is covered with a thin, flexible material that makes it invisible or nearly invisible when worn, while still allowing the magnetic elements to function. The covering material is sufficiently thin to permit magnetic attraction through it while providing the desired aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Shape

If conventional collar stays are used, then they can retain collar shape, but they cannot attach to the shirt front for proper positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar shape retentionVSAvoidattachment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated collar stay system: the traditional shape-retention function of collar stays is combined with the attachment function of magnetic fasteners. The magnetic element on the shirt front provides secure attachment while the collar stay portion maintains proper collar shape and alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively keeps the collar aligned and fastened without being visible, reduces weight by using fewer magnets, and protects the shirt fabric from damage, allowing for customizable positioning and shape retention.

Implementation Method 1

uses a magnet, magnets, or magnetized elements, in the stay itself, and an element attractable to a magnet behind the shirt front

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9943117B2Apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and fastened, magnetically

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 WURKIN STIFFS PATENT HLDG LLC

AI summary

Apparatus for magnetically holding a shirt collar in a position and orientation on a shirt front, includes a collar stay attachable to a collar via adhesive or the like, or receivable in a pocket of the collar. The collar stay includes at least one magnet, or element of a magnetized material or a material attractable by a magnet. A magnet is positionable against an inside surface of the shirt front opposite the collar and is magnetically attachable to the collar stay through the shirt front, for holding the collar in a desired position and orientation. The stay can be a laminate or composite, and can be bendable or foldable into a desired shape.