Zipper Installation in Thin Shell Garments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional zipper assemblies in thin shell garments cause bulkiness and compromise water-resistance due to multiple fabric layers and exposed zipper tapes, leading to water penetration and snagging issues.

Innovation Solution

A method of preparing a semi-finished slide fastener assembly by removing interlocked teeth from a zipper chain, introducing a reinforcing film to shape the cord bundles, and cutting the chain to create a film-reinforced end, which is then attached to the garment with a pin and box assembly, minimizing bulkiness and exposure while maintaining water-resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional zipper assemblies with fabric-based zipper tapes are used in thin shell garments, then the zipper can be installed and operated, but bulkiness is created at the zipper attachment area due to multiple fabric layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezipper installationVSAvoidbulkiness at zipper attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of zipper tape material from fabric-based to plastic-based (polymer webbing). This material substitution eliminates the need for multiple fabric layers at the zipper attachment area, directly reducing bulkiness while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized installation processes adapted for plastic tapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by integrating the zipper tape directly into the thin shell garment structure. The plastic zipper tape is bonded to the thin shell material, creating a composite assembly that eliminates separate fabric layers and reduces overall volume at the zipper attachment area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional zipper assemblies with fabric-based zipper tapes are used in waterproof or water-resistant jackets, then the zipper can be installed, but water penetration occurs through the zipper tapes, sewing thread, and zipper teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezipper installationVSAvoidwater penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from fabric-based zipper tapes to plastic-based zipper tapes. This material substitution provides inherent water resistance, eliminating the water penetration issue through the zipper tapes while maintaining ease of manufacture through adapted installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a waterproof coating or laminate applied to the zipper assembly that provides water resistance. This protective layer can be applied as a separate element that seals the zipper components, preventing water penetration through the teeth and tapes while maintaining the underlying simple zipper structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flaps are attached to cover the zipper in water-resistant jackets, then water penetration is reduced, but bulkiness is added to the front of the jacket and the thin shell gets snagged by the zipper slider

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater penetration protectionVSAvoidbulkiness at front of jacket

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external flaps by integrating water resistance directly into the zipper assembly itself. The plastic zipper tapes and waterproof coating provide inherent protection, removing the separate flap component that caused bulkiness and snagging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the water protection function with the zipper structure itself. The plastic zipper tapes and integrated waterproof coating combine the closure function and water resistance in a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate protective flaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional zipper assemblies are used in thin shell garments, then the zipper can be installed with traditional sewing methods, but the multiple fabric layers create unnecessary weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraditional sewing installationVSAvoidjacket weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from fabric-based to plastic-based zipper tapes, which are inherently lighter. This substitution reduces the weight of the zipper assembly itself and eliminates the need for additional fabric layers, directly decreasing overall garment weight while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3190917B1Method for installing slide fastener assembly in thin shell garment

Publication Date: 2020.01.29 IDEAL FASTENER CORP

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Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

A method of installing a slide fastener assembly in a thin shell garment includes: providing a slide fastener chain comprised of two interlocked rows of teeth, each row of teeth being attached to a cord bundle of a respective slide fastener tape; removing the interlocked rows of teeth from a portion of the slide fastener chain, thereby defining a length of the slide fastener chain without teeth; introducing a reinforcing film to the cord bundles, at a location along the length of the slide fastener chain without teeth, to shape the cord bundles for accommodation of a pin and box assembly.