Wound Thread Layer Apparel for Tailored Stiffness and Air Permeability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for innovative methods to create apparel with enhanced durability, comfort, and performance characteristics that cater to various use cases, as existing techniques fall short in providing tailored properties for athletic and non-athletic activities.

Innovation Solution

The method involves winding continuous threads around anchor points to form thread layers or patterns, which are then bonded and cut to create pieces of material that can be combined to form articles of apparel, allowing for control over characteristics such as stiffness, air permeability, and comfort through the arrangement and material of the threads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional weaving or knitting techniques are used to manufacture apparel, then the production process is well-established and relatively simple, but the ability to tailor specific performance characteristics such as stiffness, air permeability, and comfort for different use cases is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailored performance characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparel is divided into multiple pieces, each containing specific thread patterns with controlled characteristics. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for specific performance requirements while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thread patterns are designed with varying local qualities by controlling thread arrangement, density, and material composition in different regions. This enables specific areas of the apparel to have tailored properties such as enhanced stiffness, breathability, or comfort where needed, while other areas maintain different characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple thread layers with complex arrangements are used to achieve tailored properties, then the customization of performance characteristics is improved, but the manufacturing precision and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread pattern controlVSAvoidthread layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Thread patterns are pre-formed with precise arrangements before being integrated into the final apparel structure. This preliminary formation of thread layers with controlled patterns allows for high manufacturing precision in achieving desired performance characteristics while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by separating pattern creation from assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional single-layer construction is used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the durability and performance characteristics are insufficient for diverse athletic and non-athletic activities

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidthread layer configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple thread layers with different materials, densities, and arrangements are combined to create a composite structure. This composite construction enhances durability and provides tailored performance characteristics for various activities, as each layer can be optimized for specific functions such as strength, breathability, or comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240324699A1Apparel comprising a wound component and methods of making the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

Articles of apparel and methods of making articles of apparel that include one or more thread layers made by winding a continuous thread around anchor points. In some embodiments, the articles of apparel can include multiple pieces of material, with each piece including a thread layer. In some embodiments, the article of apparel can be steamed to shape the one or more thread layers.