Inside-Out Soft Covering for Clothing Connector Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothing connectors, such as bra straps with metal loop connectors, often have rough surfaces and edges due to manufacturing processes like ultrasonic seal-cutting, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly, and adding soft layers to address this is labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the attachment of a soft planar material to the clothing connector, preferably inboard of the outer edge, covering the connector's edges and surface, using techniques like zig-zag sewing or welding, to create a seamless and comfortable finish, while minimizing sharp edges and protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If soft layers are built up over clothing connector components to reduce sharpness and roughness, then comfort and aesthetics are improved, but manufacturing cost and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by turning the clothing connector inside out after attaching the soft layer to the outer surface. This causes the soft layer to wrap around and cover the previously exposed inner edges and surfaces, providing comfort without requiring complex multi-layer construction. The soft layer is attached to the outside, then the entire connector is inverted so the soft layer becomes the inner covering.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft layer is attached to the outer surface of the connector before the inside-out transformation. This preliminary attachment ensures that when the connector is turned inside out, the soft layer is already in position to cover and protect the edges and surfaces that will contact the user, eliminating the need for subsequent edge finishing operations.
2Strength
If conventional sewing and bolting methods are used to attach supported structures to clothing, then structural strength is achieved, but the added structures become sharp, protrusive, and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
By turning the connector inside out after attaching the soft layer, the patent transforms the exposed inner edges (which would be sharp from sewing and cutting) into covered surfaces. The soft layer that was originally on the outer surface becomes the inner lining, protecting all edges and surfaces that contact the user while preserving the structural integrity of the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a soft flexible layer (such as fabric or flexible material) that is attached to the connector and then wrapped around during the inside-out transformation. This flexible layer covers and protects the sharp edges and protrusions created by conventional sewing and cutting methods, providing a comfortable interface with the user's skin.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple layers are built up directly onto the connector surface to soften edges, then comfort is improved, but the process becomes extremely difficult and requires labor-intensive manual operation with close inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the process by attaching a single soft layer to the outer surface and then turning the connector inside out. This single operation achieves complete coverage of all surfaces and edges that contact the user, eliminating the need for multiple separate layer attachment steps and the associated complexity of ensuring each layer is properly positioned and secured.
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 solution effectively covers rough edges and surfaces, providing comfort and aesthetics by turning the soft layer inside out to cover the connector's back, reducing labor and costs associated with building soft layers, and allowing for the use of various materials like tricot fabric.
Implementation Method 1
The soft planar material is attached near the periphery of the clothing connector with some small portion remaining unconnected... Original Hook & Eye tape may have used ultrasonic cut/seal using stitching to attached all the layers
Implementation Method 2
Original Hook & Eye tape may have used ultrasonic cut/seal using stitching to attached all the layers
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing connector having tensile components is formed in any of the conventional ways, and a soft roughness insulating covering layer is attached to one side and then moved to the other side in an inside-out process which provides a soft finish not only to the side to which it was moved, but also the peripheral edges and a narrow portion of the side of the clothing connector to which it was originally attached. This structure and process enables quick application of a softening, object insulating covering to any clothing connector expected to face the body.