Memory Ironing-Free Foldable Composite Material for Apparel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional apparel fabrics lack versatility and durability, requiring dry cleaning, professional ironing, and rigid linings that cause peeling, swelling, and are difficult to fold and store, limiting their use in various scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A memory ironing-free foldable composite material comprising at least seven layers, including a silica gel middle layer, adhesion layers, substrate composite layers, a cover layer, and a lining layer, which maintains shaping effects after folding and washing, prevents peeling and swelling, and provides rainproof, windproof, and high humidity resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If rigid lining materials are used for support and shaping, then the shaping effect is improved, but the ease of folding and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lining material is divided into multiple layers with different functions: a soft base fabric layer for comfort and foldability, and a separate shaping layer with thermal memory properties for maintaining shape. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The lining material utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes through thermochromic or shape memory components that activate at specific temperatures (e.g., above 40°C) to provide shaping support, while remaining soft and flexible at lower temperatures for easy folding and portability.
2Strength
If hot-melt adhesive is used for bonding fabric and lining, then the bonding strength is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to foaming and swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent hot-melt adhesive bonding with a removable magnetic bonding mechanism. The magnetic adhesive can be easily detached and reattached without degradation, avoiding the cumulative damage and foaming issues that occur with repeated heating and cooling of traditional adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the thermal-chemical bonding mechanism (hot-melt adhesive) with a magnetic field-based bonding mechanism. This eliminates the thermal stress and chemical degradation that cause foaming and swelling, while providing equally effective bonding strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional fabric materials are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates for multi-scenario use
Solution Approach 1:
The lining material integrates multiple functions into a single component: shaping support through thermal memory, moisture management through hydrophobic properties, and adaptive bonding through magnetic mechanisms. This universal design allows the same material to serve multiple purposes across different scenarios without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining traditional fabric base layers with advanced functional layers including shape memory polymers, hydrophobic coatings, and magnetic adhesive layers. This composite structure maintains ease of manufacture through layered assembly while achieving adaptability for various scenarios through the combined properties of different materials.
4Manufacturing precision
If professional ironing equipment is used for shaping, then the shaping precision is improved, but the loss of time and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lining material is pre-treated during manufacturing with thermal memory properties and pre-shaped according to specific garment requirements. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent ironing by consumers, as the shaping is already embedded in the material structure before the garment reaches the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory material automatically returns to its pre-set shape when exposed to triggering conditions (such as body heat or warm water during washing), eliminating the need for external ironing equipment or manual shaping actions by the user.
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 composite material allows for repeated folding and washing without losing shape, is ironing-free, and offers improved durability and versatility, making it suitable for various scenarios and reducing storage and transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a fourth layer as a middle layer is a silica gel layer
Implementation Method 2
the surface treatment agent for silica gel is a combination material including a coupling agent
Data Source
AI summary
A memory ironing-free foldable composite material suitable for apparels, a manufacturing method thereof and an application thereof are provided. The memory ironing-free foldable composite material may include at least seven layers of materials, a middle position adopts a silica gel layer, two sides of the silica gel layer are symmetrically provided with adhesion layers and substrate composite layers in turn, an outermost layer on one side is provided with a cover layer, and another outermost layer on the other side is provided with a lining layer. According to an apparel design scheme, a finished product of apparel can be formed by ordinary tailoring and sewing by machine. After repeated folding and washing, it can still maintain the shaping effect, would not foam and swell, would not peel off, can be rainproof and windproof, can have high humidity resistance, and thus can meet the needs of multi-scenarios and versatility.