HMZ Design

Sustainability and Fit: How Tear-Away Hems are Reducing Environmental Impact

At HMZ, we’re dedicated to not only modernising workwear but also minimising the environmental footprint that comes from integrating multiple leg length options into one pair of pants. Our Tear-Away Hems solution isn’t just about providing custom fit options; it’s also about sustainability and waste reduction.

Here’s how Tear-Away Hems are making a difference:

  1. Combining multiple length options in one pair of pants. With Tear-Away Hems, individuals can adjust the length of their pants to suit their height. This means that one pair of pants can accommodate various lengths, reducing the need for multiple SKUs and excessive production.
  2. Reducing returns for the wrong length. By offering customisable length options, we significantly decrease the likelihood of customers receiving ill-fitting pants and subsequently returning them. This reduction in returns not only saves time and resources but also minimises transportation emissions related to returning and exchanging products.
  3. Streamlining Inventory Management: Traditionally, brands have had to stock multiple length options per size for the same style, resulting in excess inventory and the potential for waste. Tear-Away Hems allow brands to carry fewer variations of each style while still accommodating a wide range of body types and preferences. This streamlined approach simplifies inventory management while promoting efficient resource utilisation.

By incorporating HMZ into workwear designs, you’re not only providing superior fit and comfort for customers but also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Join us in our commitment to reducing environmental impacts and creating workwear that benefits both wearers, brands and the planet.

Watch HMZ in action by clicking the image below.

Watch HMZ demo

Reducing Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards while Promoting Inclusivity in Workplaces

Slips, trips, and falls are all too common in the workplace, contributing to over 25% of all injuries sustained on the job.

These incidents not only pose a significant risk to workers’ safety but can also result in severe consequences such as broken bones and other injuries. At HMZ, we’re problem solvers with a unique perspective, prioritizing safety, environmental responsibility, and inclusivity in all our endeavours.

In our quest to address these challenges from a workwear perspective, we developed the HMZ method—a patented invention that is challenging workwear norms. Inspired by a childhood memory of feeding the chooks on our farm, HMZ offers a solution to enable wearers of work pants to adjust their clothing to suit individual height effortlessly. With tear-away hems, individuals can tailor their workwear without any prior experience with garment alterations.

But HMZ is more than just a practical solution for adjusting pant length. It’s about promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all workers, regardless of their height or body shape, have access to workwear that fits comfortably and safely.

Historically, men’s pants have offered various leg length options, but this hasn’t always been inclusive enough, leaving many individuals—both men and women—without the right fit. With HMZ, we’re changing the game by integrating length options into all waist sizes, ensuring that most body types are catered to.

The impact of HMZ extends beyond improving safety on the job site. By offering a solution that is tailored to the diverse needs of workers, we are promoting inclusivity and empowering individuals to feel comfortable and confident in their workwear.

At HMZ, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and challenging the way we think about workwear. With HMZ, we’re not just reducing slip, trip, and fall hazards—we’re creating a safer, more inclusive future for all workers. Join us in our mission to revolutionise workwear and make a positive impact on the lives of workers everywhere.

Wearing the pants: Hemming solution HMZ set to transform industry workwear

The visionary founder of COgear, Kym O’Leary, has launched HMZ: a groundbreaking hemming solution for workwear in the resources sector.

Redefining the fit of garments by employing tear-away hems, the patented HMZ design feature delivers easily adjustable hems, representing a significant breakthrough in garment construction.

For inventor Kym O’Leary, the HMZ solution was born out of a desire to approach hemming differently. Her patented pull-tab method of adjusting hem lengths responds innovatively to the needs of resources sector personnel, so that they can work more comfortably and efficiently in demanding environments.

Tailored for industry – features and benefits of HMZ

  • Convenience: HMZ allows the length of workwear to be effortlessly adjusted, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming alterations.
  • Diverse size options: HMZ’s patented pull-tab method means that individuals can find the perfect fit for their body. This high level of customisation ensures optimal functionality and performance in challenging work environments.
  • Improved safety: HMZ’s ability to deliver impeccably tailored workwear eliminates trip hazards, improving safety and comfort in the workplace.

HMZ inventor Kym O’Leary said that she thought outside the box when developing her idea for HMZ. “COgear had been asked to bring out its women’s pants in multiple lengths but, as a small business, from a cashflow perspective we couldn’t afford to hold more stock. I had to think differently,” she explained. “Was there a smarter way we could meet the need for different leg lengths – maybe a 4-in-1 style?”

O’Leary began experimenting with the idea of an adjustable hem based on a mechanism in chicken feed bags that she remembered from her farm-based childhood. “Embracing your unique perspective is empowering,” she said. “It’s fascinating how not being confined by traditional expectations opens a world of limitless possibilities.”

Other advice for would-be inventors from the COgear founder includes researching thoroughly, leveraging R&D opportunities, securing ideas with provisional patents, and – crucially – persevering through challenges. “Every test brings you closer to realising your invention’s full potential,” she said.

O’Leary looks forward to seeing industry embrace the transformative power of the HMZ solution. Designed for customisable precision, ultimate comfort and improved safety, HMZ sets a new standard in workwear construction – enhancing wellbeing and performance in the workplace.

As featured in Resources Review > https://resourcesreview.com.au/product_news/wearing-the-pants-hemming-solution-hmz

Inventing against the odds: HMZ creator Kym O’Leary shares five tips to transform your idea into a patented invention

Imagine this scene: you’re gathered around the table with your family, sharing laughter and stories. Suddenly, someone utters those familiar words, “I wish there was such a thing as this product”, or “Imagine having something like XYZ to make this job easier”.

We’ve all been there, right?

The truth is, we all have those brilliant ideas bubbling within us. As Sara Blakley, the visionary founder of SPANX, once wisely said, an idea is most vulnerable in its infancy – and I couldn’t agree more.

When my own lightbulb moment struck, I kept it to myself, sharing it only with my husband (over a bottle of red wine, but that’s a tale for another time). I hesitated to divulge it to anyone else, fearing their dismissive words or disheartening statistics like, “Did you know that women hold only 13% of patents globally?”

But here’s the thing: I refused to let any of that hold me back.

Today, as the founder of workwear brand COgear and inventor of hemming solution HMZ, I’m here to share with you my tips for inventing because I’ve been in your shoes and I know that ideas deserve to be nurtured, celebrated, and transformed into reality.

Let me share my top five tips to transform your ideas into a patented invention.

Tip 1: Embrace your unique perspective and the freedom of limited industry know-how

Embracing your unique perspective becomes all the more empowering when you lack industry know-how, just like I did. It’s fascinating how not being confined by traditional expectations opened up a world of limitless possibilities.

Despite never seeing myself as an inventor or aspiring to hold a patent, and even without expertise in garment construction (relying on skilled professionals for my industrial workwear brand COgear, my lack of conventional knowledge became a catalyst for boundless thinking. It liberated me from the constraints of “how things should be done” and granted me permission to venture beyond the ordinary.

So don’t underestimate the power of your fresh perspective and the remarkable potential that emerges when you fearlessly think outside the box.

Tip 2: Begin with research, but let it enhance rather than stifle your idea

Before immersing yourself in the development of your invention, conducting thorough research is essential. Explore existing products and patents in the market to ensure the novelty of your idea.

However, if you find it challenging to navigate the complex realm of intellectual property, don’t let it discourage you. Intellectual property can be tricky for those of us without specialised training, but don’t let it reduce your enthusiasm. Instead, focus on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape.

Tip 3: Tap into research and development (R&D) opportunities with expert guidance

Unlocking government funding and grants designed to foster innovative thinking can provide crucial support for your inventive journey. To navigate this landscape effectively, I highly recommend reaching out to experts like Rimon Advisory. They specialise in advising inventors on potential grants and assistance available, especially for groundbreaking ideas warranting a patent. It’s wise to contact them early in your journey, as the application process often involves tracking of time and expenses.

Starting on the right foot allows you to maintain organised records from the outset, saving you the hassle of combing through diaries and documents later on. By proactively seeking grants and other forms of assistance, you place yourself in an advantageous position to secure the support you need.

So seize the opportunity and stay ahead by leveraging the valuable resources provided through R&D initiatives and government funding programs.

Tip 4: Securing your idea with a provisional patent

When it comes to applying for a provisional patent, you don’t need to have all the answers right away. What matters is having a simple prototype and a clear vision of how you will progress from concept to creation. When I applied for the HMZ provisional patent, I didn’t have all the specifics worked out, such as securing the threads.

However, I did have a few ideas and relied on input from our workwear factory. This collaboration was essential as we planned to implement HMZ across a large manufacturing line.

In my journey, Jack King-Scott from Kings Patent & Trade Marks Attorneys played a pivotal role. Jack’s extensive knowledge and down-to-earth approach were invaluable. Unlike some legal professionals, he readily offered his direct opinion when asked. Securing a provisional patent provides you the reassurance that your idea is protected from being copied while you focus on refining the intricate details.

Remember, the provisional patent serves as a stepping stone with a limited 12-month timeframe, giving you the freedom to further develop your invention. So leverage the expertise of professionals like Jack to safeguard your idea and confidentially move forward with the necessary steps to bring your invention to life.

Tip 5: Test, iterate and persevere

Securing your provisional patent marks the beginning of the real work ahead. Prepare for challenges and hurdles along the way, each one more daunting than the last. But remember, it’s only ‘no’ when you choose to give up. Embrace testing and iterating as opportunities to refine your idea and overcome obstacles.

Expect setbacks and failures – they are integral to innovation. Learn from them, adjust, and persist with unwavering determination. Every test brings you closer to realising your invention’s full potential. Stay resilient, passionate, and committed. Your breakthrough awaits as you conquer the final obstacles.

Hold onto your vision, learn from setbacks, and remember that success requires perseverance. With unwavering determination, watch your idea transform into a reality.

In conclusion, remember this: never dismiss your ideas simply because they seem uncharted or unfamiliar. Embrace them instead. Rather than dwelling on potential obstacles or what could go wrong, grant yourself permission to dream about the possibilities of what could go right. Envision how your life could transform, the impact it could have on your family, and the inspiration it could ignite within them.

So go forth with confidence, fuelled by your imagination and driven by the belief that your idea has the power to make a remarkable difference. Your invention awaits its moment of glory – seize it!

 

As featured in Smart Company > https://www.smartcompany.com.au/plus/hmz-creator-kym-oleary-tips-transform-idea-patented-invention/