Textile article, method and system for managing textile information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing textile information during the life cycle lack traceability, recyclability, and efficient communication of information to producers and consumers, while minimizing consumer comfort and implementation complexity.

Innovation Solution

A textile article comprising multiple components connected by a mechanically reducible connecting means, equipped with an electronic tag containing identification and product parameters, enabling disassembly and direct information retrieval through electromagnetic signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If an electronic tag with comprehensive product information is attached to the textile article, then traceability and information communication are improved, but device complexity and consumer comfort are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetraceabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic tag is designed to serve multiple functions: it stores identification information, product parameters, and sustainability indicators, while also enabling traceability throughout the textile article's life cycle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate systems, thereby improving information management without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for traceability and recycling (identification information and key product parameters) from the complete product data set. This selective extraction minimizes the data burden on the electronic tag and simplifies information retrieval while maintaining effective traceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional connecting means are used to attach electronic tags, then ease of manufacture is improved, but recyclability and disassembly are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting means is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to maintain strong attachment during manufacturing and use, but to become easily separable under specific disassembly conditions. This dynamic behavior enables both easy manufacture and effective recyclability by allowing the connection strength to change based on the process stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting means utilizes parameter changes (such as temperature, moisture, or mechanical stress thresholds) to transition between attached and detached states. During manufacturing, the connecting means remains in a strong attachment state, but during recycling processes, controlled changes in parameters enable easy separation without damaging the textile article components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If detailed product parameters are stored on the electronic tag, then sorting and recycling efficiency are improved, but information security and selective communication are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidinformation security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic tag implements local quality by storing different types of information with different access permissions. Identification information and basic product parameters are accessible to all parties (producers, consumers, recyclers), while detailed product parameters and sensitive data are restricted to authorized users only. This selective accessibility enables efficient sorting while maintaining information security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary access control mechanism that mediates between information storage and retrieval. This intermediary layer allows the electronic tag to store comprehensive product parameters for recycling efficiency while controlling who can access and read this information, thereby balancing sorting efficiency with information security through selective communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances traceability and recyclability, facilitates efficient sorting and recycling processes, and allows selective communication of information to producers and consumers.

Implementation Method 1

The electronic tag comprises a memory, wherein the memory comprises identification information and product parameters about the textile article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4172403B1Textile article, method and system for managing textile information
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 CONCORDIA TEXTILES NV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a textile article, a method for managing information about a textile article and a system for managing information about a textile article. The invention is advantageous due to an increased traceability of the textile article, as well as an improved processing prior to a recycling or reuse process. In addition, the present invention is extremely suitable for selectively communicating textile information to a producer and consumer side in a supply chain or life cycle of the textile article.