Obscuring Knit Garment Structure for Concealing Undergarments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Form-fitting garments often reveal the presence of undergarments or other objects beneath them, compromising privacy and aesthetic preferences, forcing wearers to choose between uncomfortable designs or going without undergarments.
Innovation Solution
A garment with an obscuring region featuring a unique knit structure that diffuses light and stretches differently from other regions to conceal undergarments, combined with supporting and positioning regions to maintain fit and support the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a form-fitting garment is worn to achieve a snug fit, then the garment conforms to the body shape, but undergarments or objects positioned between the wearer and the garment become visible as bumps, bulges, or unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates an obscuring region with a specific knit structure that differs from the rest of the garment. This local variation in knit structure creates a textured surface that diffuses light and masks the underlying body contours and undergarment edges, while the rest of the garment maintains its form-fitting properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the knit structure in the obscuring region, specifically creating a knit pattern with different stitch types, yarn orientations, or densities that produce a light-diffusing surface. This parameter change allows the same garment to simultaneously achieve form-fitting appearance and undergarment obscuration
2Ease of manufacture
If the garment uses a uniform knit structure throughout, then the garment is simple to manufacture, but it cannot provide both support and obscuration functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is segmented into distinct functional regions: a supporting region with a first knit structure designed to provide compression and support, and an obscuring region with a second knit structure designed to mask undergarments. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall garment integration
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed as a multi-functional piece that simultaneously provides compression support, body contouring, and undergarment obscuration. The different knit structures within the same garment enable it to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate garments or layers
3Ease of operation
If the obscuring region permits high stretch to maintain comfort, then the wearer experiences comfort, but the supporting region cannot provide adequate tissue support
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the garment have different stretch characteristics tailored to their function. The supporting region uses a knit structure with lower stretch properties to provide firm tissue support, while the obscuring region uses a knit structure with higher stretch properties to ensure wearer comfort and adaptability to body movements
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 garment effectively obscures undergarments while maintaining a form-fitting, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing appearance, allowing wearers to choose their preferred undergarments without visibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
an obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in at least a first direction... configured to visually obscure at least a portion of an undergarment positioned between a wearer and the garment
Data Source
AI summary
A garment includes an obscuring region and a supporting region. The obscuring region includes an obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in at least a first direction. The obscuring region is configured to visually obscure at least a portion of an undergarment positioned between a wearer and the garment. The supporting region is positioned adjacent the obscuring region. The supporting region includes a supporting knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure. The supporting knit structure is configured to permit a second degree of stretch in at least the first direction. The second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch such that the supporting region is configured to support a tissue of a wearer.