Reach-Through Textile Pocket Structure With Self-Closing Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothing designs often lack easy access to pockets, especially when both hands are occupied, and current closures are difficult for small children or inconvenient for adults, leading to items falling out or being inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A pass-through opening in a textile surface, formed by a separate textile surface connected to the surrounding surface, allowing easy hand access and self-recovery, with the separate surface being more elastic and softer, ensuring a wrinkle-free design and secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pocket opening is made accessible with a separate textile surface, then ease of access is improved, but the risk of items falling out increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidrisk of items falling out
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket opening uses a dynamic closure mechanism that automatically adjusts between open and closed states based on hand insertion. The elastic textile surface allows the opening to expand when a hand approaches and then self-closes when the hand withdraws, providing both easy access and secure closure without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure mechanism is self-operating through the elastic properties of the textile surface. The opening self-closes when the hand is removed, eliminating the need for manual closure actions. This self-service feature ensures items remain secure while maintaining easy access during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a closure mechanism is added to secure items, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure closureVSAvoidclosure mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism is self-operating through the elastic properties of the textile surface. The opening self-closes when the hand is removed, eliminating the need for manual closure actions. This self-service feature ensures items remain secure while maintaining easy access during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The textile surface utilizes changes in elastic parameters to control the opening state. When stretched by hand insertion, the material temporarily expands; when released, it returns to its original state, automatically closing the opening. This parameter-based control provides secure closure without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the textile surface is made more elastic for easy stretching, then ease of operation is improved, but the wrinkle-free appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of stretchingVSAvoidwrinkle-free appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The textile surface has different elastic properties in different regions. The pocket opening area uses highly elastic material for easy stretching and closing, while the surrounding textile surface maintains its original texture and appearance. This local differentiation allows the opening to be functional without compromising the overall aesthetic quality of the garment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables easy and secure access to pockets with one hand, preventing items from falling out, and maintaining a wrinkle-free appearance, suitable for various textile surfaces and locations.

Implementation Method 1

the material of the separate textile surface is elastically stretchable more widely and softly per area than the material of the surrounding textile surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4157006B1Textile article equipped with a reach-through region
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 FIRST WEST GMBH
  • EP4157006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4157006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4157006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a textile article equipped with a reach-through region (2) for the whole of a human hand, wherein the reach-through region (2) has a separate textile surface (4) which, with its edge, is connected to the edge of a recess in a surrounding textile surface (3), wherein the separate textile surface (4) and the region of the surrounding textile surface (3) that surrounds it can together be arranged flat in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively fold-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface (4) is further and more flexibly elastically extensible than the material of the surrounding textile surface (3). The edge of the separate textile surface (4) and the edge of the recess have the same shape and size. Situated in the separate textile surface (4) is an opening (5), which is wholly surrounded by the separate textile surface (4).