Puckering stretchable fabric

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fabrics lack the ability to stretch uniformly in multiple directions, limiting their versatility and comfort in applications such as sleeping bags, where they need to accommodate varying body shapes and provide insulation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating elastic thread lines into fabric patterns that intersect and loop around central points, creating puckering areas that can stretch and gather in multiple directions, allowing the fabric to smooth out when extended, thereby enhancing flexibility and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fabrics are used without elastic thread lines, then the fabric structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the fabric cannot stretch uniformly in multiple directions, limiting versatility and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestretch capability in multiple directionsVSAvoidfabric structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric is divided into multiple puckering areas separated by elastic thread lines. Each puckering area can independently stretch and gather, allowing the fabric to expand uniformly in multiple directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Elastic thread lines are strategically placed at intersections and along borders of specific puckering areas to create localized stretch zones. This allows the fabric to have enhanced adaptability in critical areas while keeping other regions simpler in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If elastic thread lines are sewn into fabric to create puckering areas, then the fabric can stretch in multiple directions, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-directional stretchVSAvoidsewing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Elastic thread lines are pre-configured in specific patterns (including intersections and loops) before being sewn into the fabric. This preliminary planning allows the complex elastic structure to be implemented systematically, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to ad-hoc elastic placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic thread lines are arranged in two-dimensional patterns with intersections and loops rather than simple linear configurations. This dimensional arrangement enables multi-directional stretch while following systematic sewing paths that are easier to manufacture than truly three-dimensional elastic structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If multiple thread lines are used to create puckering patterns, then the fabric achieves better stretch distribution, but the number of thread lines and intersections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestretch distribution uniformityVSAvoidthread line pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple elastic thread lines are merged at intersection points where they cross or overlap. This merging creates concentrated elastic zones that distribute stretch forces uniformly across the fabric while reducing the total number of separate thread line segments compared to a non-intersecting grid pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Elastic thread lines are arranged to form nested patterns where smaller puckering areas are contained within or between larger puckering zones. This nesting allows multiple thread lines to work together in a hierarchical structure that improves stretch distribution without requiring equally complex patterns at all scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 elastic thread line pattern enables the fabric to stretch significantly in multiple orthogonal directions, improving comfort and insulation by allowing the fabric to adapt to body shapes and distribute tension evenly, while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic thread lines can bias the puckering areas in multiple different non-parallel directions toward a puckered configuration. The elastic lines can be stretchable to stretch the puckering areas in multiple orthogonal directions toward a smooth configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11519116B2Puckering stretchable fabric

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 ALBREA ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

Elastic thread lines can extend along borders of puckering areas of a fabric. The thread lines can include elastic thread line sections of the thread lines passing through thread line intersections and segments of the thread lines between the intersections. The elastic thread lines can bias the puckering areas in multiple different non-parallel directions toward a puckered configuration. In the puckered configuration, the puckering areas can be gathered together to pucker the fabric. The fabric can be stitched together to form a product, such as a sleeping bag sack that is stretchable in multiple orthogonal directions by stretching the thread lines. Elastic thread line sections passing through intersections can be made more secure by forming thread line section patterns that increase numbers of thread line crossings at the intersections. Densities of thread lines in different directions can be selected to produce different amounts of gathering, and for security.