Portable Opaque Shroud for Discreet Public Changing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a discreet and portable solution that allows individuals to disrobe in public locations without being visible, as existing solutions do not adequately provide privacy in such settings.

Innovation Solution

A portable shroud made of opaque material, at least 5 feet long, that can be worn around the neck, featuring a pass-through for objects and a pocket for storage, ensuring user privacy by inhibiting visibility through the shroud and allowing for easy storage when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a portable shroud is used to provide privacy in public locations, then user visibility is hidden, but the device requires compact storage capability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidstorage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud is constructed as a flexible, thin fabric structure that can be easily gathered and compressed into a compact form factor for portability, while maintaining its full-length coverage function when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shroud incorporates drawstrings and gathering mechanisms that allow it to dynamically transition between its extended protective state and a compact stored state, enabling easy portability while maintaining privacy coverage when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shroud is made opaque to inhibit visibility, then privacy is improved, but the material selection and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies opaque material with particular properties (non-transparent, fabric-based) that balance privacy protection with manufacturability, selecting materials that are commercially available and easy to work with while achieving the desired visibility blocking function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the shroud is made portable and wearable, then mobility is improved, but the structural complexity increases to accommodate storage and passing objects

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud integrates multiple functions into a single structure: it provides privacy coverage, includes integrated pockets for storing personal items, and incorporates pass-through openings for accessing objects, all while maintaining a simple wearable form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the privacy shroud function with storage pockets and object access features into a single integrated garment, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11284650B2Portable changing room assembly

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 CORDOVA MARTIN

AI summary

A portable changing room assembly for discretely disrobing in a public location includes a shroud that may be worn around the neck of a user. The shroud has a length of at least 5.0 feet such that the shroud extends from the users neck to the ground. The shroud is comprised of an opaque material to inhibit the user from being visible through the shroud. In this way the user may disrobe behind the shroud in a public area. The shroud has a pass-through extending through the shroud and an object passed through the pass-through to be employed by the user. A pocket is coupled to the shroud and the shroud is selectively gathered into the pocket for storage.