Apparel Trim Piece Assembly for Hidden Drawcord Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drawcord constructions on apparel result in visible stitching and outlines, compromising the aesthetic appeal of clean or minimalistic designs.
Innovation Solution
A trim piece assembly is incorporated into apparel where a second trim piece forms a tunnel structure within the garment, housing the drawcord, with the second trim piece unattached to the exterior layer to avoid visible stitching and the drawcord outline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional topstitching construction is used to house drawcord, then the drawcord can be contained in a tunnel structure, but visible stitching and drawcord outlines appear on the external surface compromising aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drawcord and tunnel structure from the external view by positioning them internally. The trim piece is configured with the drawcord channel positioned away from the external surface, and the drawcord itself is positioned within this internal channel, effectively removing the harmful visible elements while preserving the functional containment of the drawcord.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the drawcord channel within the trim piece, which is itself attached to the garment. The drawcord is then positioned within the channel, creating a nested structure where each element is contained within the previous one, hiding the drawcord and stitching from external view while maintaining functionality.
2Shape
If a trim piece assembly is used to conceal the drawcord internally, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the trim piece: it serves as both a decorative element and the structural component housing the drawcord channel. The trim piece is attached to the garment and simultaneously provides the internal channel structure, combining what would otherwise be separate components into one integrated element, thereby reducing overall construction complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to a trim piece (100) assembly that can be incorporated into an article of apparel, where the trim piece assembly is used to house a drawcord (144). The trim piece assembly is constructed and incorporated into the article of apparel in such a way that there is no topstitching on the external-facing surface (110) of the article of apparel in areas where the trim piece assembly is located.