Segmented Elastic Belt for Wearable Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pant-type wearable articles face challenges in achieving balanced performance in terms of fit, comfort, prevention of sagging, leakage, and red marking, while also being economical to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A wearable article design featuring a ring-like elastic belt composed of front and back belts with specific arrangements of elastic bodies in concentrated arrays, providing dynamic fitment forces and distributing them effectively to prevent sagging and leakage, while minimizing tensile stress on the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plurality of elastic strands are disposed in the transverse direction to provide elasticity for the elastic belt, then the elastic belt can provide fit and sag protection, but the tensile force from the thin elastic strands may cause red marking of the wearer's skin and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic belt is segmented into multiple discrete elastic strands distributed across the transverse direction. Instead of using a single continuous elastic element, the patent divides the elastic function into multiple segments (strands) that are spaced apart, reducing the concentrated tensile stress on any single point of the wearer's skin while maintaining overall elastic support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the elastic belt by varying the distribution, density, and configuration of elastic strands in different transverse zones. This allows optimized local fit and comfort characteristics - for example, higher strand density in areas requiring more support and lower density in sensitive areas prone to red marking.
2Strength
If the leg opening and waist opening are encircled with elasticized elements positioned along the periphery to insure full elastic fit, then good fit is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elastic functions for both the waist opening and leg openings into a single integrated elastic belt structure. This unified elastic belt provides elasticized elements that simultaneously encircle both openings, reducing the total number of separate elastic components needed and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining full elastic fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic belt is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: providing elastic fit for the waist opening, providing elastic fit for the leg openings, and offering sag protection. This universal component performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate elements, reducing device complexity.
3Temperature
If belt-type pants are used with a separate elastic belt to provide fit for waist and leg openings, then breathability is improved by having fewer layers, but the tensile force from elastic strands may cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic belt uses multiple segmented elastic strands instead of a continuous elastic layer, creating small gaps between strands that allow air circulation and improve breathability. This segmented structure reduces the tensile force concentration on the skin while maintaining the elastic support function, thereby reducing discomfort and red marking.
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 design enhances fit and comfort, prevents sagging and leakage, reduces the risk of red marking, and is manufactured economically, offering improved performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable article wherein least some of the elastic bodies may be arranged in at least 2 sets of a concentrated array defined as meeting: a) one concentrated array is formed by 2-4 elastic bodies; b) each elastic body within one concentrated array is disposed in an inner-interval between each elastic body of 2-4 mm; and c) one specific concentrated array disposed in an extra-interval between at least one neighboring elastic body outside the specific concentrated array of less than 8 mm. The entirety of the length of the belt side edge of the front belt may be seamed with a certain length of the belt side edge of the back belt to define a seam length LS. The front and back belts may each divided into 4 zones wherein at least 2 concentrated arrays are disposed on the front proximal tummy zone or the back distal tummy zone.