Pocket Cuff System with Mini-Sleeve for Thermal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment pockets often lose warmth due to gaps between the wrist and the pocket opening in cold weather and allow objects to fall out due to unnecessarily large openings.
Innovation Solution
A pocket cuff system comprising a mini-sleeve and cuff that attaches around the pocket opening, creating a continuous passageway with a tapered mini-sleeve and an elastic cuff to reduce air gaps and prevent object loss, maintaining warmth and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pocket opening is made larger to accommodate hands and objects, then the ease of operation is improved, but the warmth retention deteriorates due to gaps between the wrist and pocket opening
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket opening is segmented into two functional zones: the main pocket opening for inserting hands and objects, and a separate cuff portion that extends around the wrist to seal the gap. This segmentation allows the main opening to remain large for ease of operation while the cuff portion provides thermal sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional pocket opening to a three-dimensional cuff structure that wraps around the wrist. This dimensional extension creates a seal in the radial direction around the wrist, preventing heat loss while maintaining the original pocket opening size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pocket opening is made larger to fit objects, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as objects may fall out during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket structure is segmented into the main pocket body for accommodating objects and a separate cuff portion that acts as a retaining barrier. This segmentation allows the main opening to be large for adaptability while the cuff provides reliability by preventing object escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff acts as an intermediary element between the main pocket opening and the external environment. It serves as a mediating structure that allows objects to be inserted through the large opening while preventing them from falling out, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Temperature
If a cuff structure is added to seal the pocket opening, then the warmth retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the gap for thermal insulation, prevents objects from falling out, and maintains a relatively simple structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If the cuff opening is reduced to prevent object loss, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as hands cannot easily enter
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket system is segmented into the main opening for hand insertion and the cuff opening for object retention. The main opening remains large for ease of operation while the cuff opening can be smaller for reliability, as they serve separate functional purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the retention function from the planar opening dimension to the circumferential cuff dimension. Objects are retained by the cuff's circumferential barrier rather than by restricting the opening size, allowing hands to easily insert through the large opening while objects are prevented from escaping by the cuff structure.
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 system enhances pocket warmth by minimizing air gaps and prevents objects from falling out by reducing the pocket opening size, ensuring a secure and warm internal space.
Implementation Method 1
The cuff may be elastic
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a garment having a pocket with an opening and an internal area. A first end of a mini-sleeve may be attached to the opening of the pocket. A second opening of the mini-sleeve may be attached to a first opening of a cuff. The pocket, the mini-sleeve and the cuff may define a continuous passageway from outside the garment to inside the internal area of the pocket. In some embodiments, the mini-sleeve may be tapered from the end attached to the cuff to the end attached to the pocket. In some embodiments, the cuff may be elastic. In some embodiments, a zipper may be used to close the pocket (with the mini-sleeve and cuff inside the pocket). The garment may be a coat, jacket, vest, backpack, shirt or pants. In some embodiments, a single garment may have two or more of the pockets herein described.