Ergonomic Undergarment Tech: Multi-Industry Innovation
Legal Citation
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, focused on women's undergarments, overlooked the potential benefits of incorporating sleeves into undergarments for broader applications. This new invention addresses the limitations of the original patent by applying the core technology to entirely different industries, fields, and problems, such as industrial settings, therapeutic uses, and space travel.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the core technology, which were not originally considered. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the undergarment design to address specific challenges in industrial, therapeutic, and space settings, resulting in a new and non-obvious invention.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the invention could include adjustable compression zones, removable sleeves, or integrated cooling/heating systems. Variations of the invention could be designed for specific industries, such as construction, healthcare, or aerospace, or for particular activities, like sports or outdoor recreation.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The ergonomic undergarment system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including industrial manufacturing, healthcare, sports, and space exploration. The target market includes companies and organizations seeking to improve worker comfort and productivity, athletes and individuals with physical disabilities, and space agencies and private space companies.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A41 | A41C3/08 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Ergonomic garment design, specifically undergarments with structural support features, focusing on anatomical comfort and functional adaptability in apparel engineering
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A professional with expertise in textile engineering, garment design, and biomechanical ergonomics, possessing knowledge of material science, human anatomy, and adaptive clothing technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental undergarment design with sleeve and support structures provides a versatile technical foundation that can be readily adapted to specialized industrial, medical, and performance contexts. The core technical elements of adjustable sleeves, supportive wing structures, and modular design inherently suggest potential extensions into targeted application domains. The variations presented in the PTD represent predictable engineering modifications that leverage the source patent's core technological principles.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,000 |
|---|---|
| Title | Undergarment for women with sleeves |