blanket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waterproof blankets often lack comfort due to layer separation and durability issues caused by relative movement between layers, and existing solutions do not provide a sufficient moisture barrier.

Innovation Solution

A blanket design featuring a fabric layer, a waterproof base layer with an adhesive scrim layer in between, stitched together with a quilted pattern, and corner utility loops for secure attachment, ensuring minimal layer separation and enhanced strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a waterproof coating is applied to the base layer, then moisture barrier protection is improved, but layer separation and relative movement between layers occur causing discomfort and durability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture barrier protectionVSAvoidlayer separation and durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesive scrim layer is introduced as an intermediary between the fabric layer and the waterproof base layer. This scrim layer acts as a mediator that bonds the two layers together, preventing relative movement and layer separation while maintaining the waterproof protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket employs a composite multi-layer construction consisting of a fabric layer, an adhesive scrim layer, and a waterproof base layer with waterproof coating. This composite structure combines the comfort properties of fabric with the waterproof properties of the coated base layer, while the adhesive scrim ensures structural integrity by bonding the layers together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If layers are bonded together, then layer separation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple layers and attachment methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer bondingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive scrim layer serves as a pre-prepared intermediary that simplifies the bonding process. By incorporating the adhesive function into the scrim layer itself, the manufacturing process becomes more straightforward compared to applying separate adhesives between multiple layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single adhesive scrim layer: it provides structural reinforcement, acts as an adhesive carrier, and bonds the fabric layer to the waterproof base layer. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing.

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 design provides a comfortable, durable, and effective waterproof barrier with peel strength and interlayer strength within specified ranges, preventing water ingress and maintaining structural integrity under tensile and shear forces.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive scrim layer positioned between the fabric layer and the base layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a base layer comprising a waterproof layer connected the fabric layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaterproof coating: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3829402B1blanket
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 YETI COOLERS LLC
  • EP3829402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3829402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A blanket (100) formed from multiple layers including a fabric layer (118) on the top and a base layer (120) on the bottom where the base layer (120) has a waterproof coating on at least one side and where a plurality of loops (130) are attached to the fabric layer (118). The blanket (100) may include an insulation layer and an adhesive scrim layer positioned between the fabric layer (118) and the base layer (120). In a method of forming a blanket the layers are attached using a combination of stitching along with an adhesive to form a blanket (100) that is waterproof and is secured together such that the fabric layer (118) does not move relative to the base layer (120).