ADJUSTABLE WRAP SHAPING GARMENT

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates generally to clothing and more particularly to shaping garments.

Description of Related Art

Shaping garments, commonly referred to as “shapewear,” are garments that mold or hold various parts of a wearer's body to a certain shape. The shaping function of shaping garments is achieved through fabric selection, construction methods, and/or addition of shaping mechanisms. For example, a shaping garment may be constructed using a compressive fabric where the compressive fabric compresses an area of the wearer's body to a particular shape and/or size. A compressive fabric often includes a blend of one material (e.g., nylon, cotton, polyester, etc.) and an elastic material (e.g., spandex, elastane, etc.) to provide a stretchy, tight fit. Most compression fabrics includes at least 20% spandex or similar elastic material. A shaping garment may include one or more fabrics having different compression levels such that certain areas of the wearer's body are compressed more than others to achieve a particular shape or effect.

As another example, the overall cut and fit of a garment may produce a shaping effect when worn. As a further example, structural material may be incorporated into a garment to give the wearer a particular shape. For example, boning is a traditional shapewear material used to form an hourglass waist shape in corsets. As another example, a shaping garment may include one or more closures (e.g., lacing, hook and eye, Velcro straps, etc.) that require a mechanical cinching action by the wearer to close the garment. The closure(s) and the wearer's action to close the garment achieve a desired shape.

Most shaping garments are undergarments designed for discrete shaping and/or support underneath clothing. In addition to undergarments, shapewear techniques are increasingly being incorporated in regular clothing (e.g., a compressive dress that allows a wearer to forgo traditional undergarments) and swimwear. Due to the performance requirements of swimwear (e.g., water resistance, chlorine resistance, salt resistance, quick drying, flexibility, comfort, etc.), swimwear fabrics are often lightweight, flexible, and thin. From a shaping standpoint, thin, lightweight fabrics are not ideal. One shaping technique used in swimwear involves the use of compressive fabrics. For example, a traditional swimwear performance fabric is layered on top of a “power mesh” fabric (i.e., a highly compressive material). In another example, the power mesh fabric layer is sandwiched between the traditional swimwear performance fabric layer and a lining layer. The power mesh layer compresses the midsection, bottom, and/or bust of the wearer, provides a layer of structure, and helps to smooth the appearance of skin under revealing swimwear fabrics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIGS. 1A-1B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment;

FIGS. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment;

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment;

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment; and

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 (also referred to herein as “garment”). FIG. 1A depicts a front view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area 16 of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The waist area 16 is a location near a waistline 14 of the wearer. The waist area 16 includes an area above (e.g., 1-4 inches from the waistline to a bust section of the wearer) and an area below (e.g., 1-5 inches from the waistline to a lower abdomen/upper buttocks area of the wearer) the waistline of the wearer. In this example, the body section 12 includes a bottom section 18 attached to a bottom of the waist area 16 that covers a lower abdomen, crotch, and/or buttocks area of the wearer and has a panty like shape. In other embodiments, the bottom section 18 may not be included or may include a different shape and/or coverage of the wearer (e.g., shorts, pants, etc.). In other embodiments, the body section 12 includes a top section attached to the top of the waist area 16. Examples of a top section will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B.

The body section 12 is constructed of one or more materials (e.g., fabrics) having one or more compressive properties (e.g., one or more compression fabrics). For example, the body section 12 may be constructed using an exterior (e.g., self) material (e.g., a jersey knit fabric) having a first weight and first compressive property. For example, the first weight may be “heavy” (e.g., such as a weight of 160-190 g/m²) and the first compressive property may be “high compression” (e.g., a fabric consisting of 35-50% elastane (or similar elastic material)). The first compressive property may consist of other factors such as whether the material is constructed to allow for 2 or 4-way stretch, etc. A heavy weight, high compression material can be used to promote shaping and support of the wearer. The exterior material may include one or more other properties such as texture and appearance (e.g., shine, flat, smooth, etc.), moisture wicking, breathability, ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection, pilling, resistance, sun cream and oil resistance, chlorine resistance, etc.

The body section 12 may also be constructed using a lining (e.g., interior) material (e.g., a jersey knit fabric) that is coupled (e.g., sewn together at one or more seams of the garment) to the exterior material that includes a second weight and second compressive property. The second weight and second compressive property may be substantially equivalent to (e.g., the external and lining materials are the same) or may differ from the first weight and first compressive property. For example, the second weight may be “moderate” (e.g., such as a weight of 130-160 g/m²) and the second compressive property may be “moderate compression” (e.g., a fabric consisting of 20-35% elastane (or similar elastic material)). In another example, the lining material is heavier and/or more compressive than the exterior material. The lining material may have other different or similar properties as compared to the exterior material such as texture, hand feel, and performance properties (e.g., chlorine resistance, moisture wicking, etc.).

The body section 12 includes a front portion 15, a first side seam 20, and a second side seam 22. The first side seam 20 connects a first side of a front portion 15 of the body section 12 to a first side of a back portion (not shown) of the body section 12. The second side seam 22 connects a second side of the front portion 15 of the body section 12 to a second side of a back portion (not shown) of the body section 12. While shown directly on the sides of the garment, the first and second side seams 20-22 could be positioned closer to the front or the back portions of the body section 12 such that they are visible from the front and/or back of the garment.

The front portion 15 of the body section 12 is shown to include shaping seams 17 on the left and right of the front portion 15 (including decorative top stitching). The shaping seams 17 draw the material of the body section 12 in towards the waistline and physically and visually enhance an hourglass shape of the wearer. The shaping seams 17 may delineate areas of the garment that include different materials (e.g., materials having different compressive properties). In other examples, more or less (or no) shaping seams 17 are included.

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 described in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B depicts the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 on a wearer and includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area 16 of the wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The side view shows that the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 includes a first adjustable wrap piece 24. The first adjustable wrap piece 24 includes a first end and a second end. A first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to the first side seam 20 of the body section 12. In this view, the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is in a closed position (e.g., the second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to the back of the garment). The first adjustable wrap piece 24 will be discussed in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4B.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. FIG. 2 depicts a back view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The body section 12 includes a back portion 28, a first side seam 20, and a second side seam 22. The back portion 28 is shown including a back seam, but in other embodiments, the back portion 28 is one piece.

The first side seam 20 connects a first side of a front portion (not shown) of the body section 12 to a first side of the back portion 28 of the body section 12. The second side seam 22 connects a second side of the front portion (not shown) of the body section 12 to a second side of the back portion 28 of the body section 12. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 further includes a first adjustable wrap piece 24, a second adjustable wrap piece 26, a first component of a first coupling mechanism 30, and a second component of the first coupling mechanism 32. The first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 are shown in closed positions in this view (e.g., attached at the back of the garment).

Each of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 may be constructed of a same or different material as the body section 12. For example, the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 may be constructed using the exterior material of the body section 12. Each of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 include a first end and a second end. The first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to the first side seam 20 of the body section 12. The first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 runs the length of the first side seam 20 in this example but may be shorter than the first side seam 20 in other embodiments. The second end of first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to the first component of the first coupling mechanism 30. The second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is shorter than the first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 such that the first adjustable wrap piece 24 has a tapered appearance. In other embodiments, the second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is longer or the same length as the first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24.

The first end of second adjustable wrap piece 26 is coupled to the second side seam 22 of the body section 12. The first end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 runs the length of the second side seam 22 in this example but may be shorter than the second side seam 22 in other embodiments. The second end of second adjustable wrap piece 26 is coupled to a first component of a second coupling mechanism (not visible). The second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is shorter than the first end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 such that the second adjustable wrap piece 26 has a tapered appearance. In other embodiments the second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is longer or the same length as the second adjustable wrap piece 26.

A coupling mechanism may be any two (or more) part mechanism for securing and/or fastening one piece of material to another that includes two or more coupling positions. For example, a coupling mechanism could include a hook and eye closure (e.g., where the hook is the first component of the coupling mechanism, the eye is a second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created with two or more eyes), a hook and loop tape pair (e.g., Velcro) (e.g., where the hook side of the tape pair is the first component of the coupling mechanism, the loop side of the tape pair is the second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created by the length of the tape), a hook and bonded loop closure (e.g., where the hook is the first component of the coupling mechanism, bonded loops are the second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created by two or more bonded loops), buttons (e.g., where a button is the first component of the coupling mechanism, a button hole is a second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created with two or more button holes), etc.

In this example, the first coupling mechanism is a hook and bonded loop closure where the hook is the first component of the first coupling mechanism 30, bonded loops are the second component of the first coupling mechanism 32, and the two or more coupling positions are created by the two or more bonded loops (e.g., the hook can connect to different loops at multiple positions for closure). An exterior portion of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 includes the second component of the first coupling mechanism 32 such that the second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is attachable to the exterior portion of the second adjustable wrap piece 26. As an example, bonded loops are constructed by tacking a layer of bonded material (e.g., two layers of the exterior material of the body section 12 bonded together with an adhesive bonding material) to the exterior portion of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 to create loops. Another layer of material (e.g., the exterior material of the body section 12) with cutouts for the loops may be bonded (e.g., adhered with a bonding material) on top of the loops to reinforce the loops and hide the tacking.

By attaching the first adjustable wrap piece 24 to the exterior portion of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 using the first coupling mechanism, a first shaping effect 25 is generated at the wearer's waist area at the first side seam 20. For example, the waistline at the first side seam 20 is cinched in by the act of pulling and attaching the first adjustable wrap piece 24 to the exterior of the second adjustable wrap piece 26. The tapered shape of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 allows for larger surface area (the first side seam) to be pulled towards a smaller surface area (the point of connection of the first coupling mechanism) which creates targeted shaping at the waistline of the wearer. The coupling positions of the first coupling mechanism change the first shaping effect 25. For example, connecting the hook to a bonded loop closer to the second side seam 22 creates a more dramatic shaping effect than connecting the hook to a bonded loop further from the second side seam 22. Therefore, the wearer is able to adjust the first adjustable wrap piece 24 to create a desired first shaping effect 25.

Similarly, by attaching the second adjustable wrap piece 26 to the back portion 28 of the body section 12 (not shown) using a second coupling mechanism, a second shaping effect 35 is generated at the wearer's waist area at the second side seam 22. The tapered shape of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 allows for larger surface area (the second side seam) to be pulled towards a smaller surface area (the point of connection of the second coupling mechanism) which creates targeted shaping at the waistline of the wearer. Therefore, the wearer is able to adjust the second adjustable wrap piece 26 to create a desired second shaping effect 35. Attaching the second adjustable wrap piece 26 to the back portion 28 of the body section 12 using a second coupling mechanism will be shown and discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B.

The length of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 depends on the amount of shaping desired (e.g., the shorter the length of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26, the further the wearer has to pull the pieces for closure which further pulls in the waist area) and the materials used for construction (e.g., how much stretch the material has). The length of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is shorter than the length of the back portion such that the pieces must be stretched to be closed at the furthest coupling position (e.g., near the side seams).

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. FIGS. 3A-3B depict a back view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 described in FIGS. 1A-2. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The body section 12 includes a back portion 28, a first side seam 20, and a second side seam 22.

The first side seam 20 connects a first side of a front portion (not shown) of the body section 12 to a first side of the back portion 28 of the body section 12. The second side seam 22 connects a second side of the front portion (not shown) of the body section 12 to a second side of the back portion 28 of the body section 12. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 further includes a first adjustable wrap piece 24, a second adjustable wrap piece 26, a first component of a first coupling mechanism 30, a second component of the first coupling mechanism 32, a first component of a second coupling mechanism 34, and a second component of the second coupling mechanism 36.

Each of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 may be constructed of a same or different material as the body section 12. Each of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 include a first end and a second end. The first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to the first side seam 20 of the body section 12. The first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 runs the length of the first side seam 20 in this example but may be shorter than the first side seam 20 in other embodiments. The second end of first adjustable wrap piece 24 is coupled to a first component of the first coupling mechanism 30. The second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is shorter than the first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 such that the first adjustable wrap piece 24 has a tapered appearance. In other embodiments the second end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is longer or the same length as the first end of the first adjustable wrap piece 24.

The first end of second adjustable wrap piece 26 is coupled to the second side seam 22 of the body section 12. The first end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 runs the length of the second side seam 22 in this example but may be shorter than the second side seam 22 in other embodiments. The second end of second adjustable wrap piece 26 is coupled to a first component of a second coupling mechanism 34. The second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is shorter than the first end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 such that the second adjustable wrap piece 26 has a tapered appearance. In other embodiments the second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is longer or the same length as the second adjustable wrap piece 26.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the back portion 28 includes a second component of the second coupling mechanism 36. In this example, the first adjustable wrap piece 24 is in an open position and the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is in a closed position (i.e., the second adjustable wrap piece 26 is attached to the back portion of the body section 12 via the second coupling mechanism).

A coupling mechanism may be any two (or more) part mechanism for securing and/or fastening one piece of material to another that includes two or more coupling positions. For example, a coupling mechanism could include a hook and eye closure (e.g., where the hook is the first component of the coupling mechanism, the eye is a second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created with two or more eyes), hook and loop tape pair (e.g., Velcro) (e.g., where the hook side of the tape pair is the first component of the coupling mechanism, the loop side of the tape pair is the second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created by the length of the tape), a hook and bonded loop closure (e.g., where the hook is the first component of the coupling mechanism, bonded loops are the second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created by two or more bonded loops), buttons (e.g., where a button is the first component of the coupling mechanism, a button hole is a second component of the coupling mechanism, and the two or more coupling positions are created with two or more button holes), etc.

By attaching the first component of the second coupling mechanism of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 to the second component of the second coupling mechanism 36 on the back portion 28 of the body section 12, a shaping effect is generated at the wearer's waist area at the second side seam 22. The tapered shape of the second adjustable wrap piece 26 allows for larger surface area (the second side seam) to be pulled towards a smaller surface area (the point of connection of the second coupling mechanism) which creates targeted shaping at the waistline of the wearer.

FIG. 3B depicts an example where both the first and second adjustable wrap pieces 24 and 26 are in an open position. In this example, the first component of the second coupling mechanism 34 on the second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 24 is visible.

In this example, the second coupling mechanism is a hook and loop tape pair (e.g., Velcro) where either the hook or loop side of the tape pair is the first component of the second coupling mechanism 34, the opposite side of the tape pair is the second component of the second coupling mechanism 36, and the two or more coupling positions are created by the length of second component of the second coupling mechanism 36. Because the second coupling mechanism is a hook and loop tape pair in this example, the first component of the second coupling mechanism 34 is located on an interior portion of the second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26. However, when a different coupling mechanism is used, the first component of the second coupling mechanism 34 may be located on the end of the second end of the second adjustable wrap piece 26.

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. FIG. 4A depicts a front view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3B. FIG. 4A shows an x-ray view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The x-ray view refers to a view under or between layers of material.

The x-ray view shows a front bonded section 38 covering an abdominal area of the body section 12. The front bonded section 38 is an area of the interior of the external material of the body section 12 that includes a bonding material. The bonding material is an adhesive such as a polyurethane adhesive. When applied, the bonding material can change the properties of the external material. Adding the bonding material to the external material may make the external material more or less heavy, more or less compressive, and/or more or less elastic. When the body section 12 includes lining material, the bonding material may adhere the external material to the lining material to form the front bonded section 38. Adhering the external material to a lining material produces a material with the combined properties of the lining, bonding material, and the external material. In another example, when the body section 12 includes lining material, the bonding material is adhered to the lining material to form the front bonded section 38. Adding the bonding material to the lining material may make the lining material more or less heavy, more or less compressive, and/or more or less elastic. The bonding material may be fully or partially bonded (e.g., at the edges) to a material to allow for desired flexibility and movement.

The front bonded section 38 may contain properties that are more compressive in comparison to the surrounding areas of the body section 12 such that the front abdominal area of the wearer experiences more compression. The shape of the front bonded section 38 may be different than what is shown. For example, the shape may taper upwards toward the waistline and then expand upwards towards the under bust similar to an hourglass shape. As another example, the shape may resemble the letter “X.” The bottom of the front bonded piece may be curved more or less than what is shown.

FIG. 4B depicts a back view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 as described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3B. FIG. 4B shows an x-ray view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. The adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10.

The x-ray view shows a plurality of back bonded sections 40-44 covering various back portions of the body section 12. For example, the first back bonded section 40 is covering an upper back waist area of the body section 12. As another example, the second back bonded sections 42 are covering an upper buttocks area of the body section 12. As another example, the third back bonded area is covering a back crotch area of the body section 12.

The plurality of back bonded sections 40-44 are areas of the interior of the external material of the body section 12 that include bonding material. The bonding material is an adhesive such as a polyurethane adhesive. When applied, the bonding material can change the properties of the external material. For example, adding the bonding material to the external material may make the external material more or less heavy, more or less compressive, and/or more or less elastic. When the body section 12 includes lining material, the bonding material may adhere the external material to the lining material to form the plurality of back bonded sections 40-44. In another example, when the body section 12 includes lining material, the bonding material may be adhered to the lining material to form the plurality of back bonded sections 40-44.

The bonding material may be fully or partially bonded (e.g., at the edges) to allow for desired flexibility and movement. The plurality of back bonded sections 40-44 may contain properties that are more compressive in comparison to the surrounding areas of the body section 12. For example, the first back bonded section 40 is located at the top back of the body section 12 and has an elongated upside down triangle shape that follows the shape of top of the adjustable wrap pieces when in a closed position. This bonded piece provides stability under the adjustable wrap (i.e., to limit fabric collapse and/or gathering) and shapes/smooths the back of the wearer. The second back bonded section 42 is located at the upper buttock area of the body section 12 and has a shape that is wider at the center and tapers out to both sides in a downward curved fashion.

The top of this second back bonded section 42 follows the shape of the top of the adjustable wrap when in a closed position. The second back bonded section 42 provides stability under the adjustable wrap (i.e., to limit fabric collapse and/or gathering), shapes/smooths the back of the wearer, and lifts the bottom of the wearer. The third back bonded section 44 is located at the lower crotch seam of the bottom section of the body section 12 and is a small curved triangular piece that pulls the crotch seam backwards to lifts the bottom of the wearer. The shape and size of the plurality of back bonded sections 40-44 may vary. The plurality of back bonded sections 40-4 may connect to one another. No bonded section is included across the buttocks the bottom section of the body section 12 to prevent flattening of the natural shape of the wearer.

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an adjustable wrap shaping garment 10. FIG. 5A depicts a front view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area 16 of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 and operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 of FIGS. 1A-3B. The waist area 16 is a location near a waistline 14 of the wearer. The waist area 16 may include area above (e.g., 1-4 inches from the waistline up to a bust section of the wearer) and below (e.g., 1-5 inches from the waistline to hip and/or buttocks area of the wearer). In this example, the body section 12 includes a bottom section 18 that covers a lower abdomen, crotch, and/or buttocks area of the wearer and has a panty like shape. In this example, the body section 12 also includes a top section 46 that covers a bust and shoulder area of the wearer and has a bra like shape. In other embodiments, the top section 46 may include a different shape with different coverage of the wearer (e.g., a high neck top, a short-sleeved top, a long sleeve top). In another embodiment, one or more of the top and bottom sections are detachable from the waist area of the body section 12.

FIG. 5B depicts a back view of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 that includes a body section 12 encircling a waist area 16 of a wearer of the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 and operates similarly to the adjustable wrap shaping garment 10 of FIGS. 1A-3B. The waist area 16 is a location near a waistline 14 of the wearer. The waist area 16 may include area above (e.g., 1-4 inches from the waistline up to a bust section of the wearer) and below (e.g., 1-5 inches from the waistline to hip and/or buttocks area of the wearer). In this example, the body section 12 includes a bottom section 18 that covers a lower abdomen, crotch, and/or buttocks area of the wearer and has a panty like shape. In this example, the body section 12 includes a top section 46 that covers a bust and shoulder area of the wearer and has a bra like shape. In other embodiments, the top section 46 may include a different shape with different coverage of the wearer (e.g., a high back top, thicker or thinner bra straps, a short-sleeved top, a long sleeve top). In another embodiment, one or more of the top and bottom sections are detachable from the waist area of the body section 12.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream, stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been used interchangeably to describe digital information whose content corresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video, speech, text, graphics, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. For some industries, an industry-accepted tolerance is less than one percent and, for other industries, the industry-accepted tolerance is 10 percent or more. Other examples of industry-accepted tolerance range from less than one percent to fifty percent. Industry-accepted tolerances correspond to, but are not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, thermal noise, dimensions, signaling errors, dropped packets, temperatures, pressures, material compositions, and/or performance metrics. Within an industry, tolerance variances of accepted tolerances may be more or less than a percentage level (e.g., dimension tolerance of less than +/−1%). Some relativity between items may range from a difference of less than a percentage level to a few percent. Other relativity between items may range from a difference of a few percent to magnitude of differences.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.

As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.

As may be used herein, one or more claims may include, in a specific form of this generic form, the phrase “at least one of a, b, and c” or of this generic form “at least one of a, b, or c”, with more or less elements than “a”, “b”, and “c”. In either phrasing, the phrases are to be interpreted identically. In particular, “at least one of a, b, and c” is equivalent to “at least one of a, b, or c” and shall mean a, b, and/or c. As an example, it means: “a” only, “b” only, “c” only, “a” and “b”, “a” and “c”, “b” and “c”, and/or “a”, “b”, and “c”.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processing circuit”, “processor”, “processing circuitry”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module, module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, processing circuitry and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit, processing circuitry and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with one or more other routines. In addition, a flow diagram may include an “end” and/or “continue” indication. The “end” and/or “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can end as described and shown or optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with one or more other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of the embodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device such as a processor or other processing device or other hardware that may include or operate in association with a memory that stores operational instructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes one or more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memory device, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within a memory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, a quantum register or other quantum memory and/or any other device that stores data in a non-transitory manner. Furthermore, the memory device may be in a form of a solid-state memory, a hard drive memory or other disk storage, cloud memory, thumb drive, server memory, computing device memory, and/or other non-transitory medium for storing data. The storage of data includes temporary storage (i.e., data is lost when power is removed from the memory element) and/or persistent storage (i.e., data is retained when power is removed from the memory element). As used herein, a transitory medium shall mean one or more of: (a) a wired or wireless medium for the transportation of data as a signal from one computing device to another computing device for temporary storage or persistent storage; (b) a wired or wireless medium for the transportation of data as a signal within a computing device from one element of the computing device to another element of the computing device for temporary storage or persistent storage; (c) a wired or wireless medium for the transportation of data as a signal from one computing device to another computing device for processing the data by the other computing device; and (d) a wired or wireless medium for the transportation of data as a signal within a computing device from one element of the computing device to another element of the computing device for processing the data by the other element of the computing device. As may be used herein, a non-transitory computer readable memory is substantially equivalent to a computer readable memory. A non-transitory computer readable memory can also be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

ADJUSTABLE WRAP SHAPING GARMENT

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