Single Zipper Arrangement for Multiple Pocket Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zippers add bulk to garments and accessories, increase material and labor costs, and may cause chafing due to their bulkiness, while also complicating the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A single zipper arrangement that allows access to multiple pockets by using a first and second toothed portion fixedly coupled to the fabric, with a stop for non-releasable engagement and sliders for selective engagement and disengagement, reducing the need for multiple zippers and minimizing added bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zipper is used to close a pocket, then the pocket can be securely closed, but bulk is added to the garment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pocket closure functions into a single zipper arrangement. The zipper serves as a common closing mechanism for multiple pockets, eliminating the need for separate zippers for each pocket. This merging reduces the total bulk added to the garment while maintaining secure closure for each individual pocket through the shared zipper mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The zipper arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions by closing multiple different pockets. A single zipper can selectively close various pockets depending on slider position, making the zipper a universal closing mechanism that replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized zippers, thereby reducing overall garment bulk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple zippers are used to close multiple pockets, then each pocket can be independently closed, but material and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent pocket closure functions into a single zipper arrangement with multiple sliders. This consolidation reduces material costs by requiring only one zipper assembly instead of multiple separate zippers, and reduces labor costs by simplifying the installation process to a single unit rather than multiple separate installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single zipper arrangement achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple sliders that can independently control different pocket closures. This universal design provides the versatility of multiple independent zippers while maintaining the cost benefits of a single integrated component.
3Reliability
If a zipper is added to a garment, then pocket closure is enabled, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies garment construction by merging multiple pocket closure functions into a single integrated zipper arrangement. Instead of installing multiple separate zippers at different locations, the designer installs one zipper arrangement with multiple sliders, reducing the overall construction steps and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining full pocket closure functionality.
4Reliability
If bulk material is added to a garment, then zipper function is provided, but aerodynamics and aesthetics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the shape and aerodynamics concern by merging multiple zipper functions into a single arrangement. This consolidation minimizes the total bulk added to the garment compared to using multiple separate zippers, thereby better preserving the garment's original contour, aerodynamics, and aesthetic appearance while still providing reliable closure functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment or accessory includes a fabric portion including an opening and a zipper arrangement to selectively close the opening. The zipper arrangement includes a first toothed portion fixedly coupled to the fabric portion along the at least one opening, and a second toothed portion fixedly coupled to the fabric portion along the opening. The zipper arrangement also includes two sliders. Each slider is slidably received on each of the first toothed portion and the second toothed portion so as to selectively engage the first toothed portion with the second toothed portion and disengage the first toothed portion from the second toothed portion. The zipper arrangement also includes at least one stop formed by the first toothed portion and the second toothed portion such that the first toothed portion is non-releasably engaged with the second toothed portion at the at least one stop.