Alternate process for manufacturing unibody shirts with sleeves

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to a continuous process for the manufacture of garments such as shirts intended for everyday wear, and more particularly to a process for the continuous manufacture of tee-shirt type garments.

[0002] Manufacturers are always looking for new, cost-effective, high-speed continuous processes for manufacturing inexpensive clothing, both disposable and reusable garments, for everyday use. In addition, consumers are interested in dress and active wear that is comfortable and relatively inexpensive.

[0003] Previous methods used in clothing manufacture require pieces of fabric, such as cloth or woven material, to be cut from a larger bolt of the fabric into specific patterns. The pieces are then sewn together in a multi-step cut and piece process for assembly into finished articles of clothing. Such cut and piece processes are labor and time intensive. The process speeds typically depend on the speed of the final sewing stages of the cut and piece process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Thus, there is a need to provide an improved process for manufacturing garments, include washable and disposable garments. There is also a need to provide comfortable and inexpensive active wear garments. In addition, the garments need to be easy to put on and durable during wear. In response to these needs, an improved cost effective, high speed process for manufacturing shirts, tee-shirts, wraps, robes, gowns, jackets, coats, and the like has been discovered.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a shirt-type garment to be worn about the upper body.

[0006] Numerous features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate desired embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should, therefore, be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]
FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a pre-assembled flat configuration.

[0011]
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a pre-assembled flat configuration.

[0012]
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a pre-assembled flat configuration.

[0013]
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a pre-assembled flat configuration.

[0014]
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a pre-assembled flat configuration.

[0015]
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the face to face orientation of the webs of fabric.

[0016]
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the side by side orientation of the webs of fabric.

[0017]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front of a garment made by the present invention.

[0018]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the front of a garment made by the present invention.

[0019]
FIG. 12 is a back plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a post-assembled flat configuration.

[0020]
FIG. 13 is a front plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a post-assembled flat configuration.

[0021]
FIG. 14 is a back plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a post-assembled flat configuration.

[0022]
FIG. 15 is a front plan view of a garment made by the present invention in a post-assembled flat configuration.

[0023]
FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0024]
FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0025]
FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0026]
FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0027]
FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0028]
FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0029]
FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0030]
FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0031]
FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0032]
FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0033]
FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

[0034]
FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of a seam.

DEFINITIONS

[0035] Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below will include the following meaning or meanings:

[0036] (a) “Bonded” refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be bonded together when they are bonded directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly bonded to intermediate elements. The act of bonding, joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements is understood to include the two elements, such as edges, or regions adjacent the elements, such as edges.

[0037] (b) “Bonded carded fabric or web”, “bonded carded web”, and “bonded carded fabric” refer to fabric or webs made from staple fibers which are sent through a combing or carding unit, which breaks apart and aligns the staple fibers in the machine direction to form a generally machine direction-oriented fibrous nonwoven web. Such fibers are usually purchased in bales which are placed in a picker which separates the fibers prior to the carding unit. Once the web or fabric is formed, it is then bonded by one or more of several known bonding methods. Once such bonding method is powder bonding, wherein a powdered adhesive is distributed through the web or fabric and then activated, usually by heating the fabric and adhesive with hot air. Another suitable bonding method is pattern boding, wherein heated calendar rolls or ultrasonic bonding equipment are used to bond the fibers together, usually in a localized bond pattern, though the fabric can be bonded across its entire surface if so desired. Another suitable and well-known bonding method, particularly when using bi-component staple fibers, is through-air bonding.

[0038] (c) “Cross machine direction” means a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0039] (d) “Disposable” includes being disposed of after use, and not intended to be washed and reused.

[0040] (e) “Disposed”, “disposed on”, “disposed with”, “disposed at”, “disposed near”, and variations thereof are intended to mean that one element can be integral or unitary with another element, or that one element can be a separate structure joined to or connected to or placed with or placed near another element.

[0041] (f) “Elasticity” and “elastic” include that property of a material by virtue of which it tends to substantially recover to its original size and shape after removal of a force causing deformation of the material.

[0042] (g) “Elastically connected” and “elastically connecting” refer to two elements being separated by and bonded to an elastic member, where the relative position of the two elements may change due to extension of the elastic member.

[0043] (h) “Elongation” includes the ratio of the extension of a material to the length of a material prior to the extension. Elongation is expressed in percent.

[0044] (i) “Extension”, “extend”, and “extended” include the change in length of a material due to stretching. Extension is expressed in units of length.

[0045] (j) “Fabric” is used to refer to all of the woven, knitted, and nonwoven webs.

[0046] (k) “Flexible” refers to materials or fabrics that are compliant and readily conform to the general shape and contours of an individual's body.

[0047] (l) “Force” includes a physical influence exerted by one body on another which produces acceleration of bodies that are free to move and deformation of bodies that are not free to move. Force is expressed in grams-force.

[0048] (m) “Foreshortened” and “foreshortening” include to shorten beforehand, that is, before a subsequent step.

[0049] (n) “Front” and “back” are used to designate relationships relative to the garment itself, rather than to suggest any position the garment assumes when it is positioned on a wearer.

[0050] (o) “Gatherable” material is one which, when bonded to the reticular web with the latter under tension, will gather, with the formation of puckers or gathers, to accommodate contraction of the reticulated web upon release of the tensioning forces.

[0051] (p) “Machine direction” means the direction in which it is produced or the length of fabric moving in the direction of the machine operations.

[0052] (q) “Meltblown fibers” means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity, usually hot gas (e.g. air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly disbursed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin, et al. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in average diameter, and are generally tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface.

[0053] (r) “Member” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

[0054] (s) “Multi-layer laminate” means a laminate wherein some of the layers are spunbond and some are meltblown such as a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) laminate and other as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,203 to Brock et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,706 to Collier et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,727 to Potts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,931 to Perkins, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,885 to Timmons et al. Such a laminate may be made by sequentially depositing onto a moving forming belt first a spunbond fabric layer, then a meltblown fabric layer and last another spunbond layer and then bonding the laminate in a manner described below. Alternatively, the fabric layers may be made individually, collected in rolls, and combined in a separate bonding step. Such fabrics usually have a basis weight of from about 0.1 to 12 osy (6 to 400 gsm), or more particularly from about 0.75 to about 3 osy. Multi-layer laminates may also have various numbers of meltblown layers or multiple spunbond layers in many different configurations and may include other materials like films or coform materials.

[0055] (t) “Neckable material” means any material which can be necked.

[0056] (u) “Necked material” refers to any material which has been constricted in at least one dimension by processes such as, for example, drawing or gathering.

[0057] (v) “Non-elastic” or “inelastic” refers to any material that does not fall within the definition of “elastic”.

[0058] (w) “Nonwoven fabric or web”, “nonwoven web”, and “nonwoven fabric” mean a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns.

[0059] (x) “Operatively joined” with reference to the attachment of an elastic member to another element means that the elastic member when attached to or connected to or treated with heat with the element gives that element elastic properties. With reference to the attachment of a non-elastic member to another element, it means that the member and element can be attached in any suitable manner that permits or allows them to perform the intended or described function of the joinder. The joining, attaching, connecting or the like can be either directly, such as joining either member directly to an element, or can be indirectly by means of another member or element disposed between the first member and the first element.

[0060] (y) “Pattern” includes any geometric or non-geometric form that can include, among others, a series of connected or unconnected lines or curves, a series of parallel or nonparallel or intersecting lines or curves, a series of linear or curvilinear lines, and the like, or any combinations thereof. The pattern can include a repeating form and/or non-repeating form.

[0061] (z) “Rupture” includes the breaking or tearing apart of a material. In tensile testing, rupture refers to the total separation of a material into two parts, either all at once or in stages, or the development of a hole in some materials.

[0062] (aa) “Stretch bonded” refers to an elastomeric strand being bonded to another member while the elastomeric strand is elongated at least about 25 percent of its relaxed length. Desirably, the term “stretch bonded” refers to the situation wherein the elastomeric strand is elongated at least about 50 percent, more desirably at least about 300 percent, of its relaxed length when it is bonded to the other member.

[0063] (bb) “Stretch bonded laminate” (“SBL”) refers to a composite material having at least two layers in which one layer is a gatherable layer and the other layer is a stretchable, that is, elastic, layer. The layers are joined together when the stretchable layer is in a stretched condition so that upon relaxing the layers, the gatherable layer is gathered.

[0064] (cc) “Spunbonded fibers” refers to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circular capillaries or spinneret with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartman, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have average diameters (from a sample of at least 10) larger than 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 20 microns.

[0065] (dd) “Tension” includes a uni-axial force tending to cause the extension of a body or the balancing force within that body resisting the extension.

[0066] (ee) “Two-dimensional” refers to a garment, such as a diaper, that can be opened and laid in a flat condition without destructively tearing any structure. This type of garment does not have continuous leg and waist openings when opened and laid flat, and requires a fastening device, such as adhesive tapes, to attach the garment about the wearer.

[0067] (ff) “Three-dimensional” refers to a finished garment similar to shorts or pants in that it has continuous leg and waist openings that are bounded by the material of which the garment is made. This type of garment can be opened and laid flat only by destructively tearing it. This type of garment may or may not have manually tearable seams.

[0068] (gg) “Ultimate elongation” includes the elongation at the point of rupture.

[0069] These definitions are not intended to be limiting and these terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portion of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The garment 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10. The garment 10 includes opposing inner and outer surfaces 11 and 13, respectively. Within this application, the term “garment” is understood to mean shirt, tee-shirt, wrap, robe, gown, jacket, coat, or any type of upper body covering garment having variable lengths of the garment 10 itself and the sleeves (if any) as well as a variety of neck openings and garment openings, such as plackets. According to the preferred embodiment, see FIG. 3, the garment 10 desirably comprises a front panel 20 and a back panel 30. The front panel 20 has a pair of garment side edges 22 and 24, a garment bottom edge 26 and a shoulder region 28 positioned between the garment side edges 22 and 24. The back panel 30 has a pair of garment side edges 32 and 34, a garment bottom edge 36 and a shoulder region 38 positioned between the garment side edges 32 and 34.

[0071] The garment side edge 22 is joined to the garment side edge 32 to form the garment side seam 40. The garment side edge 24 is joined to the garment side edge 34 to form the garment side seam 42. A portion of the garment side seams 40 and 42 is left unbonded or not joined, preferably in the shoulder regions 28 and 38, defining two opposing arm openings 72 and 74.

[0072] The finished garment 10 may include sleeves 76 and 78 so as to surround, at least partially, the arm openings 72 and 74, respectively, of the garment 10. In some embodiments, only one sleeve 76 or 78 may be included in the finished garment 10. The length of the sleeves 76 and 78 may vary from a length intended to at least cover the entire arm of the wearer to a caplet length or shorter. The sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, may be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0073] In the embodiments of the garments 10 that do not include the sleeves 76 and 78, the unattached portions of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34, more specifically the arm opening edges 73 and 75 defining the arm openings 72 and 74, can be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the arm opening edges 73 and 75, defining the arm openings 72 and 74, may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0074] A neck opening 90, defined about its perimeter by edge 92, is located in at least one of the shoulder regions 28 and 38. The neck opening 90 is typically centered between the garment side edges 22, 24, 32, and 34, although such placement of the neck opening 90 is not required. The neck opening 90 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. While the placement of the neck opening 90 may be symmetrical between the shoulder regions 28 and 38, as well as between the garment side edges 22 and 24 and the garment side edges 32 and 34, typically the placement of the neck opening 90 is configured so that a larger portion of the neck opening 90 is located within the front shoulder region 28.

[0075] Additionally, while the shape of the neck opening 90 can be symmetrical, typically the shape of the neck opening 90 is asymmetrical as dictated by fashion and comfort. In some embodiments of the garment 10, the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 can be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0076] Various styles of a collar 94 can also be attached to the edge 92 of the neck opening 90. The attachment of the collar 94 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed below. In the alternative, the attachment of the collar 94 may be made refastenable by means as discussed below. The collars 94 include, but are not limited to, turtlenecks, mock turtlenecks, cowls, shirt collars, tee-shirt shirt ribbed edging, decorative edging, and the like known in the garment industry.

[0077] The garment bottom edges 26 and 36 of the garment 10 may also be hemmed. (Sewing equipment 117 is shown in FIG. 1). For easier manufacture, the garment bottom edges 26 and 36 of the garment 10 may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0078] The front panel 20, the back panel 30, or both may be cut or otherwise opened to form a slit 45 or 65 (shown in FIG. 10) such as a placket. The garment 10, including one or both slits 45 and 65, can be used as a wrap, gown, robe, or the like. The slit 45 has two edges 57 and 61. The slit 65 has two edges 66 and 67. Various fastening means, such as adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95, see the discussion below, may be used to refastenably attach or secure the edges 57 and 61 or the edges 66 and 67 together to form reclosable or refastenable garments 10. The slits 45 and 65 of the front and back panels 20 and 30, respectively, may extend from the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 to the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively. In the alternative, the slits 45 and 65 may extend over only a portion of the front and back panels 20 and 30 between the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 to the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively. When the garment 10 comprises both a slit 45 in the front panel 20 and a slit 65 in the back panel 30, the slits 45 and 65 may be similar or dissimilar in size, structure, shape, and the like. It is understood that the term ‘similar’ as used herein is interpreted to include identical and varying levels of similarity. It is also understood that the term ‘dissimilar’ as used herein is interpreted to include different and varying levels of dissimilarity.

[0079] An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The garment 210 includes opposing inner and outer surfaces 211 and 213. According to this embodiment, the garment 210 desirably comprises a front panel 220 and a back panel 230. The front panel 220 has a pair of garment side edges 222 and 224, a garment bottom edge 226, and a shoulder region 228 opposing the garment bottom edge 226 and positioned between the garment side edges 222 and 224. The back panel 230 has a pair of garment side edges 232 and 234, a garment bottom edge 236, and a shoulder region 238 opposing the garment bottom edge 236 and positioned between the garment side edges 232 and 234.

[0080] The garment side edge 222 is joined to the garment side edge 232 to form the garment side seam 240. The garment side edge 224 is joined to the garment side edge 234 to form the garment side seam 242. A portion of the garment side seams 240 and 242 is left unbonded or not joined, preferably in the shoulder regions 228 and 238, defining two opposing arm openings 272 and 274. At least a portion of the shoulder edge 250 of the front panel 220 is joined to at least a portion of the shoulder edge 251 of the back panel 230 to form the center seam 252.

[0081] The finished garment 210 may include arm coverings or sleeves 276 and 278 so as to surround, at least partially, the arm openings 272 and 274, respectively, of the garment 210. In some embodiments, only one sleeve 276 or 278 may be included in the finished garment 210. The length of the sleeves 276 and 278 may vary from a length intended to cover at least the entire arm of the wearer to a caplet length or shorter. The sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, may be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 are left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0082] In the embodiments of the garments 210 that do not include the sleeves 276 and 278, the unattached portion of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234, more specifically the arm opening edges 273 and 275 defining the arm openings 272 and 274, can be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the arm opening edges 273 and 275, defining the arm openings 272 and 274, may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0083] A neck opening 290, defined about its perimeter by edge 292, is located in at least one of the shoulder regions 228 and 238. The neck opening 290 is typically centered between the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 and the garment side edges 222 and 224 and the garment side edges 232 and 234, although such placement of the neck opening 290 is not required. The neck opening 290 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. While the placement of the neck opening 290 may be symmetrical between the shoulder regions 228 and 238, as well as between the garment side edges 222 and 224 and the garment side edges 232 and 234, typically the placement of the neck opening 290 is configured so that a larger portion of the neck opening 290 is located within the front shoulder region 228.

[0084] Additionally, while the shape of the neck opening 290 can be symmetrical, typically the shape of the neck opening 290 is asymmetrical as dictated by fashion and comfort. In some embodiments of the garment 210, the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 can be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0085] Various styles of a collar 294 can also be attached to the edge 292 of the neck opening 290. The attachment of the collar 294 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed below. In the alternative, the attachment of the collar 294 may be made refastenable by means as discussed below. The collars 294 include, but are not limited to, turtlenecks, mock turtlenecks, cowls, shirt collars, tee-shirt shirt ribbed edging, decorative edging, and the like known in the garment industry.

[0086] The garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the garment 210 may also be hemmed. For easier manufacture, the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the garment 210 may be left unhemmed, facilitating easy machine cutoff.

[0087] The front panel 220, the back panel 230, or both may be cut or otherwise opened to form a slit 245 or 265 (shown in FIG. 11) such as plackets. The garment 210, including one or both slits 245 and 265, can be used as a wrap, gown, robe, or the like. The slit 245 has two edges 257 and 261. The slit 265 has two edges 266 and 267. Various fastening means, such as fasteners 295 discussed above, may be used to refastenably attach or secure the edges 257 and 261 or 266 and 267 together to form a reclosable or refastenable garment 210. The slits 245 and 265 of the front and back panels 220 and 230, respectively, may extend from the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 to the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively. In the alternative, the slits 245 and 265 may extend over only a portion of the front and back panels 220 and 230 between the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 to the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively. When the garment 210 comprises both a slit 245 in the front panel 220 and a slit 265 in the back panel 230, the slits 245 and 265 may be similar or dissimilar in size, structure, shape, and the like. It is understood that the term ‘similar’ as used herein is interpreted to include identical and varying levels of similarity. It is also understood that the term ‘dissimilar’ as used herein is interpreted to include different and varying levels of dissimilarity.

[0088] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment 10 (see FIG. 1) for wearing about the upper body comprising at least a front panel 20, a back panel 30, a neck opening 90 defined about its perimeter by edge 92, arm openings 72 and 74 defined about their perimeters by arm opening edges 73 and 75, respectively, and a lower body opening 44 defined about its perimeter by garment bottom edges 26 and 36. The garment 10 comprises an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 13. The garment 10 may comprise a single layer web of fabric 15 or may comprise a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 15. In some embodiments, the garment 10 may comprise multiple layers of the web of fabric 15. The present invention requires at least one web of fabric 15 in a single continuous process to create the garments 10.

[0089] In one embodiment of the present invention (see FIG. 1), one web of fabric 15 of sufficient width of fabric to make the garment 10 is provided to produce the garments 10. The desired web of fabric 15 is nonwoven although any disposable or washable fabric can be used. (See the discussion below). The web of fabric 15 is typically unwound from a roll or other source (not shown).

[0090] The web of fabric 15 is desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the web of fabric 15 may be formed would also be used for the materials to form the inner surface 11 and the outer surface 13 of a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 15.

[0091] The web of fabric 15 may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although it need not necessarily be, an elastic material or of a stretchable nature. Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The web of fabric 15 may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.

[0092] The web of fabric 15 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. The web of fabric 15 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers), or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The web of fabric 15 may be woven, nonwoven, or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like. A suitable web of fabric 15 may be carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.

[0093] Alternatively, the web of fabric 15 may be derived from a spunbonded web. In a desired embodiment, the web of fabric 15 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS). The total basis weight is from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy (more desirably 0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven. A pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the web of fabric 15. Such a spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The basis weight of the SMS material may vary from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy.

[0094] In other desired embodiments, the web of fabric 15 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wire-weave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 19 pounds as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cycle abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such a spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The web of fabric 15 has a weight of from about 0.5 oz. per square yard (osy) to about 1.5 osy, desirably about 0.7 osy.

[0095] The web of fabric 15 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). In the structure of the garment 10, the web of fabric 15 desirably comprises a material having a basis weight of from about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). Lesser or greater basis weights may be used in the other regions of the garment 10, such as the sleeves 76 and 78, the cuffs 85 and 87, and the collar 94. Since the garment 10 is typically intended for active wear, the web of fabric 15 or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight that is abrasion resistant.

[0096] The web of fabric 15 may be any soft and flexible sheet. The web of fabric 15 may permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or brominated) and still retain its integrity. The web of fabric 15 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The web of fabric 15 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough.

[0097] The web of fabric 15 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the web of fabric 15 is dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.

[0098] For embodiments wherein the web of fabric 15 is a multi-layer laminate, both the outer surface 13 and the inner surface 11 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the outer surface 13 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the inner surface 11.

[0099] The outer surface 13 may be any suitable gatherable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although it need not necessarily be, an elastic material or of a stretchable nature. Suitable fibrous gatherable webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The gatherable webs may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.

[0100] The outer surface 13 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. The outer surface 13 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers), or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The outer surface 13 may be woven, nonwoven, or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like. A suitable material for the outer surface 13 may be carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.

[0101] Alternatively, the outer surface 13 may be derived from a spunbonded web. In a desired embodiment, the outer surface 13 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS). The total basis weight is from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy (more desirably 0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven. A pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the outer surface 13 and the inner surface 11. Such spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The basis weight of the SMS material may vary from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy.

[0102] In other desired embodiments, the outer surface 13 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wire-weave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 19 pounds as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cycle abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The outer surface 13 has a weight of from about 0.5 oz. per square yard (osy) to about 1.5 osy, desirably about 0.7 osy.

[0103] The outer surface 13 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). In the structure of the garment 10, the outer surface 13 desirably comprises a material having a basis weight of from about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). Lesser or greater basis weights may be used in the other regions of the garment 10. Since the garment 10 is typically intended for active wear, the outer surface 13, or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight which is abrasion resistant.

[0104] The inner surface 11 may be any soft and flexible sheet. The inner surface 11 may permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or brominated) and still retain its integrity. The inner surface 11 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown, or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The inner surface 11 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough. Suitable adhesives for adhering the laminate layers can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wis.

[0105] The outer surface 13 and the inner surface 11 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the inner surface 11 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.

[0106] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment 10 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 5) for wearing about the upper body comprising at least a front panel 20, a back panel 30, a neck opening 90 defined about its perimeter by edge 92, sleeve flaps 99 and 100, a lower body opening 44 defined about its perimeter by the garment bottom edges 26 and 36. The garment 10 comprises an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 13. The garment 10 may comprise a single layer web of fabric 15 or may comprise a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 15. In some embodiments, the garment 10 may comprise multiple layers of the web of fabric 15. The materials comprising the web of fabric 15 have been discussed above.

[0107] The web of fabric 15 of sufficient width of fabric to make the garment 10 is provided to produce the garments 10. The desired web of fabric 15 is nonwoven although any disposable or washable fabric can be used. (See the discussion above). The web of fabric 15 is typically unwound from a roll or other source (not shown).

[0108] The web of fabric 15 includes a pair of opposing web side edges 46 and 47. A repeating series of pairs of opposing indentations 68 and 70 is cut into the web side edges 46 and 47, respectively, of the web of fabric 15 by a die cutter 77. (See FIG. 1). The location of the opposing indentations 68 and 70 corresponds to the garment side edges 22 and 24, and the garment side edges 32 and 34, respectively, of the finished garment 10. The opposing indentations 68 and 70 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The material to be removed from the opposing indentations 68 and 70 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown).

[0109] The opposing indentations 68 and 70 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the opposing indentations 68 and 70 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of web of fabric 15 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The opposing indentations 68 and 70 may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 10.

[0110] The web of fabric 15 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 17 by the die cutter 77. The web side edges 46 and 47 of the web of fabric 15 become the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17. It is understood that while the web side edges 46 and 47 may typically become the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively, in the finished garment 10, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edges 46 and 47 to create the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively, in the finished garment 10. The piece side edges 35 and 37 of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 created by cutting operation are located such that the opposing indentations 68 and 70 are cut, producing the garment side edges 22 and 24 and the garment side edges 32 and 34, respectively, in the finished garments 10. It is understood that while FIG. 1 shows the die cutter 77 cutting the web of fabric 15 into discrete garment-sized pieces 17 and the opposing indentations 68 and 70, these operations could be performed by separate devices and at different stages within the manufacturing process.

[0111] In some embodiments of the present invention, the web of fabric 15 is cut into the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 prior to the performance of an operation to create the opposing indentations 68 and 70 (see FIG. 5). A repeating series of pairs of opposing indentations 69 and 71 is cut into the piece side edges 35 and 37, respectively, of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17. The location of the opposing indentations 69 and 71 corresponds to the garment side edges 22 and 24 and the garment side edges 32 and 34, respectively, of the finished garments 10. The opposing indentations 69 and 71 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The material to be removed from the opposing indentations 69 and 71 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source.

[0112] The opposing indentations 69 and 71 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as a slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the opposing indentations 69 and 71 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 (or, alternatively, the web of fabric 15) that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The opposing indentations 69 and 71, alternatively, the garment side edges 22 and 24 and the garment-side edges 32 and 34, respectively, may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 10.

[0113] In some embodiments, the operation of cutting the opposing indentations 69 and 71 (or, alternatively, the opposing indentations 68 and 70) into the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 (or, alternatively, the web of fabric 15) may be eliminated. As the pattern of the garment 10 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 (or, alternatively, the web of fabric 15) that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the operations or steps of the process of manufacture, one can simply design the garment 10 such that this operation of cutting the opposing indentations 69 and 71 (or, alternatively, the opposing indentations 68 and 70) into the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 (or, alternatively, the web of fabric 15) is not required. As discussed above, the arm openings 72 and 74 may be created by leaving a portion of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34, respectively, unattached.

[0114] A repeating series of openings 89 is cut by the die cutter 77 into the web of fabric 15. The location of the opening 89 corresponds to the neck opening 90 in the finished garment 10. The openings 89 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. It is understood that while FIG. 1 shows the die cutter 77 cutting the opening 89 and the opposing indentations 68 and 70, these cutting operations (also, the operation for cutting the opposing indentations 69 and 71) could be performed by separate devices and at different stages within the manufacturing process. The material to be removed from the openings 89 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown). The opening 89 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the opening 89 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of web of fabric 15 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0115] The placement of the opening 89 in relation to a repeating series of opposing indentations 68 and 70, while in a typical garment 10, the opening 89 is centrally located between the repeating series of pairs of the opposing indentations 68 and 70, is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of web of fabric 15 that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. For example, the placement of the opening 89 between the repeating series of opposing indentations 68 and 70 may be symmetrically or asymmetrically located. The placement of the opening 89 in relation to the two pairs of the opposing indentations 69 and 71, while in a typical garment 10, the opening 89 is centrally located between the two pairs of opposing indentations 69 and 71, is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. For example, the placement of the opening 89 between two pairs of opposing indentations 69 and 71 may be symmetrically or asymmetrically located.

[0116] The web of fabric 15 is cut by the die cutter 77 into discrete garment-sized pieces 17 wherein each discrete garment-sized piece 17 contains at least one opening 89, two pairs of opposing indentations 69 and 71, one pair of opposing piece side edges 35 and 37, one pair of opposing garment bottom edges 26 and 36, and opposing garment end portions 62 and 64. The location of the opposing piece side edges 35 and 37 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 corresponds to a sleeve opening end edge 84 of a sleeve flap 99 proximate the garment side edge 22 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edge 32 of the back panel 30, and a sleeve opening end edge 86 of a sleeve flap 100 proximate the garment side edge 24 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edge 34 of the back panel 30, respectively, in the finished garment 10. It is understood that while the piece side edges 35 and 37 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 may typically become the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 in the finished garment 10, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edges 35 and 37 to create the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 in the finished garment 10.

[0117] The opposing garment end portions 62 and 64 are adjacent to the garment bottom edge 26 of the front panel 20 and the garment bottom edge 36 of the back panel 30, respectively, in the finished garment 10. The location of the opposing web side edges 46 and 47 of the web of fabric 15 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 17) corresponds to the garment bottom edge 26 of the front panel 20 and the garment bottom edge 36 of the back panel 30, respectively, in the finished garment 10. It is understood that while the web side edges 46 and 47 of the web of fabric 15 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 17) may typically become the garment bottom edges 26 and 36 in the finished garment 10, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edges 46 and 47 of the web of fabric 15 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 17) to create the garment bottom edges 26 and 36 in the finished garment 10.

[0118] Each discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through hemming, folding, and fastening operations (not shown). The folding operations are desirably carried out by tuckers and folders, as well as any other known means. The discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 is folded by a folder 79 so as to bring together the opposing garment end portions 62 and 64 such that piece side edge 35 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 is folded on to itself, bringing the garment side edge 22 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edge 32 of the back panel 30 together. The piece side edge 37 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 is folded on to itself, bringing the garment side edge 24 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edge 34 of the back panel 30 together.

[0119] The mating of the garment side edge 22 and the garment side edge 32 as well as the mating of the garment side edge 24 and the garment side edge 34 form the garment side seams 40 and 42, respectively, of the garment 10. It may be desirable to redirect (or reorient) the discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 to allow easy bonding of the garment side seams 40 and 42 of the garment 10. The turning operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means. The discrete garment-sized piece 17 of the web of fabric 15 may be reoriented 90 degrees (not shown).

[0120] In various embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the garment side seams 40 and 42 can be constructed as non-refastenable seams or as refastenable seams. Any excess material of the web of fabric 15 may be removed from the edges of the garment side seams 40 and 42 to reduce and smooth out the garment side seams 40 and 42. The non-refastenable garment side seams 40 and 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or any method of fastening known in the art. (Sewing equipment 118 is shown in FIG. 1). The garment side edges 40 and 42 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. One suitable method of forming such garment side seams 40 and 42 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued Jul. 3, 1990, to Van Gompel et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The garment side seams 40 and 42 may be bonded together to form non-refastenable garment side seams 40 and 42.

[0121] In other embodiments of the present invention, the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34 of the garment 10 may be held together in the finished garment 10 to form refastenable garment side seams 40 and 42, respectively. The refastenable means for securing the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34 of the garment 10 include refastenable adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95. The adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95 include buttons and button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, tape, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complementary device or the outer surface 13 or the inner surface 11 of the garment 10.

[0122] In addition, elasticized fasteners 95 may also be used in assuring better fit of the garment 10. If the garment 10 includes refastenable garment side seams 40 and 42, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the web of fabric 15 before the web of fabric 15 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 17. The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when refastenable garment side seams 40 and 42 are included in the garment 10. However, there may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.

[0123] The garment side seams 40 and 42 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the garment side seams 40 and 42 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 17. Such configured garment side seams 40 and 42 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34, respectively. The inner surface 11 of the garment side edges 22 and 24 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edges 32 and 34 of the back panel 30, respectively, are brought into contact with each other, respectively.

[0124] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 40 and 42 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 18. Such configured garment side seams 40 and 42 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34, respectively. The outer surface 13 of the garment side edges 22 and 24 of the front panel 20 and the garment side edges 32 and 34 of the back panel 30 are brought into contact with each other, respectively.

[0125] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 40 and 42 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 16. Such configured garment side seams 40 and 42 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and the garment side edges 24 and 34, respectively. The inner surface 11 of one of the garment side edges 22 and 32 and one of the garment side edges 24 and 34 are brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the other garment side edge of each pair of garment side edges.

[0126] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 40 and 42 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 19. Such a configured garment side seam 40 is formed by folding the garment side edge 22 or the garment side edge 32. The outer surface 13 of the folded portion and the inner surface 11 of the unfolded portion of the garment side edge 22 or the garment side edge 32 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 20 or the back panel 30, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the non-folded garment side edge 32 or the garment side edge 22 and the corresponding portion of the back panel 30 or the front panel 20.

[0127] The garment side seam 42 is formed by folding back the garment side edge 24 or the garment side edge 34. The outer surface 13 of the folded portion and the inner surface 11 of the unfolded portion of the garment side edges 24 or the garment side edge 34 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 20 or the back panel 30, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the non-folded garment side edge 34 or the garment side edge 24 and the corresponding portion of the back panel 30 or the front panel 20. It is understood that the folding back of a garment side edge 22, 24, 32, or 34 could be performed such that the inner surface 11 would be exposed along the fold.

[0128] The garment end portions 62 and 64 of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 of the web of fabric 15 may be hemmed in the finished garment 10. The garment end portions 62 and 64 can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the garment end portions 62 and 64 unhemmed. The garment bottom edges 26 and 36 of the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 of the web of fabric 15 may be hemmed in the finished garment 10. The garment bottom edges 26 and 36 can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. (Sewing equipment 117 is shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the garment bottom edges 26 and 36 unhemmed.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the garment 10 includes sleeve flaps 99 and 100. The sleeve flaps 99 and 100 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the sleeve flaps 99 and 100 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the sleeve flaps 99 and 100 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The sleeves 76 and 78, alternately the sleeve flaps 99 and 100, may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, material, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 10. In some embodiments, only one sleeve 76 or 78 may be included in the finished garment 10.

[0130] The sleeve flap 99 has a pair of sleeve side edges 81 and 83, and a sleeve opening end edge 84 extending between the sleeve side edges 81 and 83. It is understood that the sleeve flap 99 could be made of multiple pieces of material or materials. The sleeve flap 99 is folded so as to bring together the opposing sleeve side edges 81 and 83 to form a sleeve seam 93 of the sleeve 76. It is understood that while the piece side edge 35 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 may typically become the sleeve opening end edge 84 in the finished garment 10, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edge 35 to create the sleeve opening end edge 84 in the finished garment 10.

[0131] The sleeve flap 100 has a pair of sleeve side edges 88 and 91, and a sleeve opening end edge 86 extending between the sleeve side edges 88 and 91. It is understood that the sleeve flap 100 could be made of multiple pieces of material or materials. The sleeve flap 100 is folded so as to bring together the opposing sleeve side edges 88 and 91 to form a sleeve seam 97 of the sleeve 78. It is understood that while the piece side edge 37 of the discrete garment-sized piece 17 may typically become the sleeve opening end edge 86 in the finished garment 10, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edge 37 to create the sleeve opening end edge 86 in the finished garment 10.

[0132] It may be desirable to redirect (or reorient) the discrete garment-sized pieces 17 to allow easy fastening of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, of the garment 10. The turning operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means. The discrete garment-sized pieces 17 may be reoriented 90 degrees (not shown). The sleeve seams 93 and 97 can be non-refastenable seams or refastenable seams. Any excess material of the fabric pieces 99 and 100 can be removed from the edges of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 to reduce and smooth out the sleeve seams 93 and 97. The non-refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or other methods of fastening as known in the art, as discussed above. The non-refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis.

[0133] In other embodiments, the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, may be held together in the finished garment 10 to form refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97. The refastenable means for securing the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, include refastenable adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95. The adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95 include buttons and button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, tape, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complementary device or the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the garment 10. The refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis.

[0134] In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the sleeves 76 and 78 of the garment 10. If the garment 10 includes refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the sleeve flaps 99 and 100 before or after the web of fabric 15 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 17 of the web of fabric 15. The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when refastenable sleeve seams 93 and 97 are included in the garment 10. However, there may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.

[0135] The sleeve seams 93 and 97 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 17. Such configured sleeve seams 93 and 97 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The inner surface 11 of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, are brought into contact with each other of the pair.

[0136] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 18. Such configured sleeve seams 93 and 97 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The outer surface 13 of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, are brought into contact with each other of the pair.

[0137] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 16. Such configured sleeve seams 93 and 97 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the sleeve side edges 81 and 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 and 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The inner surface 11 of one of the sleeve side edges 81 or 83 and the sleeve side edges 88 or 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, are brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the other sleeve side edge 81 or 83 and the sleeve side edge 88 or 91 of the sleeve 76 and 78, respectively.

[0138] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 93 and 97 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 19. Such configured sleeve seams 93 and 97 are formed by folding back the sleeve side edge 81 or 83 and the sleeve side edge 88 or 91 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The outer surface 13 of the folded portions and the inner surface of the unfolded portions of the sleeve side edge 81 or 83 and the sleeve side edge 88 or 91 and the corresponding portions of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the non-folded sleeve side edge 81 or 83 and the sleeve side edge 88 or 91 and the corresponding portions of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. It is understood that the folding back of the sleeve side edge 81, 83, 88, or 91 could be performed such that the inner surface 11 would be exposed along the fold.

[0139] The sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, (in the alternative, the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 of the sleeve flaps 99 and 100, respectively) can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86 unhemmed.

[0140] In other embodiments, cuffs 85 and 87 may be attached to the sleeve opening end edges 84 and 86, respectively of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively, of the garment 10, forming cuff seams 108 and 110, respectively. The attachment of the cuffs 85 and 87 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed above. (Sewing equipment 116 is shown in FIG. 1). The cuff seams 108 and 110 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. In the alternative, the attachment of the cuffs 85 and 87 may be made refastenable by means as discussed above. The cuffs 85 and 87 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes. The cuffs 85 and 87 may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, material, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 10. The pattern of the cuffs 85 and 87 is restricted only by the fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the cuffs 85 and 87 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0141] The cuff seams 108 and 110 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the cuff seams 108 and 110 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 17. Such configured cuff seams 108 and 110 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the cuff edge 107 and the sleeve opening end edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 and the sleeve opening end edge 86, respectively, of the garment 10. The inner surface 11 of the cuff edges 107 and 109 of the cuffs 85 and 87, respectively, is brought into contact with the inner surface 11 of the sleeve opening edges 84 and 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively.

[0142] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 108 and 110 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 18. Such configured cuff seams 108 and 110 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the cuff edge 107 and the sleeve opening edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 and the sleeve opening edge 86, respectively, of the garment 10. The outer surface 13 of the cuff edges 107 and 109 of the cuffs 85 and 87, respectively, are brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the sleeve opening edges 84 and 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively.

[0143] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 108 and 110 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 16. Such configured cuff seams 108 and 110 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the cuff edge 107 and the sleeve opening edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 and the sleeve opening edge 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The inner surface 11 of one of the cuff edge 107 or the sleeve opening edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 or the sleeve opening edge 86, are brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the other cuff edge 107 or the sleeve opening edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 or the sleeve opening edge 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively.

[0144] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 108 and 110 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 19. Such configured cuff seams 108 and 110 are formed by folding back the cuff edge 107 or the sleeve opening end edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 or the sleeve opening end edge 86 of the sleeves 76 and 78, respectively. The outer surface 13 of the folded portions and the inner surface 11 of the unfolded portions of the cuff edge 107 or the sleeve opening end edge 84 and the cuff edge 109 or the sleeve opening end edge 86 and the corresponding portions of the cuffs 85 and 87 or the sleeves 76 and 78 are brought into contact with the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the unfolded cuff edge 107 or 109 or the sleeve opening end edge 84 or 86 and the corresponding portions of the cuffs 85 and 87 or the sleeves 76 and 78. It is understood that the folding back of a cuff edge 107 or 109 or a sleeve opening end edge 84 or 86 could be performed such that the inner surface 11 would be exposed along the fold.

[0145] The materials used for the cuffs 85 and 87 may be the same as the materials used for the other portions of the garment 10. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the materials used for the cuffs 85 and 87 have an elastic element such that the cuffs 85 and 87 will conform to the portion of the wearer's arms that come into contact with the cuffs 85 and 87.

[0146] The edge 92 of the neck opening 90 can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 unhemmed.

[0147] In other embodiments, a collar 94 may be attached to the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 of the garment 10, thereby forming a collar seam 112. The attachment of the collar 94 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed above. (Sewing equipment 115 is shown in FIG. 1). In the alternative, the attachment of the collar 94 may be made refastenable by means as discussed above. The collar seam 112 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. The collar 94 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes. The pattern of the collar 94 is restricted only by the fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the collar 94 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0148] The collar seam 112 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 17. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 and the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 of the garment 10. The inner surface 11 of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 is brought into contact with the inner surface 11 of the edge 92 of the neck opening 90.

[0149] Another embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 18. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 and the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 of the garment 10. The outer surface 13 of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 is brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the edge 92 of the neck opening 90.

[0150] Another embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 16. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 and the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 of the garment 10. The inner surface 11 of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 or the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 is brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the other, the collar edge 111 or the edge 92.

[0151] Another embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 19. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by folding back the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 or the edge 92 of the neck opening 90. The outer surface 13 of the folded portions and the inner surface 11 of the unfolded portions of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 or the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 and the corresponding portions of the collar 94 or the front and back panels 20 and 30 are brought into contact with the inner surface 11 or the outer surface 13 of the unfolded collar edge 111 of the collar 94 or the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 and the corresponding portions of the collar 94 or the front and back panels 20 and 30. It is understood that the folding back of the collar edge 111 of the collar 94 or the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 could be performed such that the inner surface 11 would be exposed along the fold.

[0152] Another embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 20. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by folding the collar 94 about or over the edge 92 of the neck opening 90. The collar edges 111 of the collar 94 may be folded under, bringing the outer surface 13 of the collar 94 into contact with the edge 92 of the neck opening and any portion of the adjacent material of the front panel 20, the back panel 30, or both as desired. The collar edges 111 may be left exposed by not being folding under.

[0153] Another embodiment of the collar seam 112 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 21. Such a configured collar seam 112 is formed by folding the collar edge 111 such that the inner surface 11 of the collar 94 is brought into contact with itself. The edge 92 of the neck opening 90 is folded such that the outer surface 13 of the front panel 20, the back panel 30, or both are brought into contact with itself. The collar edge 111 is inserted into the fold of the edge 92 of the neck opening 90. The edge 92 of the neck opening 90 is inserted into the fold of the collar edge 111. In another embodiment, the collar edge 111 is folded such that the outer surface 13 of the collar 94 is brought into contact with itself. The edge 92 of the neck opening 90 is folded such that the inner surface 11 of the front panel 20, the back panel 30, or both, is brought into contact with itself. This configured collar seam 112 may be used with any seam described herein.

[0154] The materials used for the collar 94 may be the same as the materials used for the other portions of the garment 10. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the materials used for the collar 94 have an elastic element such that the collar 94 will conform to the portion of the wearer's neck that comes into contact with the collar 94.

[0155] In various embodiments of the present invention, the front panel 20, the back panel 30, or both panels 20 and 30 may be cut or otherwise opened to form a slit 45 or 65 (shown in FIG. 10) such as a placket. The slit 45 has two edges 57 and 61. The slit 65 has two edges 66 and 67. The slits 45 and 65 of the front and back panels 20 and 30, respectively, may extend from the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 to the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively. In the alternative, the slits 45 and 65 may extend over only a portion of the panels 20 and 30 between the edge 92 of the neck opening 90 to the garment bottom edges 26 and 36, respectively. When the garment 10 comprises both a slit 45 in the front panel 20 and a slit 65 in the back panel 30, the slits 45 and 65 may be similar or dissimilar in size, structure, shape, and the like.

[0156] In some embodiments, the edges 57 and 61 of the slit 45 and the edges 66 and 67 of the slit 65 may be refastenably attached or secured to each other. The edges 57 and 61 may be secured together to form the front seam 113. The edges 66 and 67 may be secured together to form the back seam 114. Various fastening means, such as adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 95, see the discussion above, may be used to refastenably attach or secure the edges 57 and 61 or the edges 66 and 67 together of the slits 45 and 65, respectively.

[0157] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment 210 (see FIG. 2) for wearing about the upper body comprising at least a front panel 220, a back panel 230, a neck opening 290 defined about its perimeter by edge 292, arm openings 272 and 274 defined about their perimeters by arm opening edges 273 and 275, respectively, and a lower body opening 244 defined about its perimeter by garment bottom edges 226 and 236. The garment 210 comprises an inner surface 211 and an outer surface 213. The garment 210 may comprise a single layer of webs of fabric 215 and 216, multi-layer laminate webs of fabric 215 and 216, or a combination of a single layer web of fabric and a multi-layer laminate web of the webs of fabric 215 and 216. In some embodiments, the garment 210 may comprise multiple layers of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 or various combinations thereof.

[0158] In one embodiment of the present invention (See FIG. 2), the two webs of fabric 215 and 216 of sufficient width of fabric to make the garment 210 are provided to produce the garments 210. The desired webs of fabric 215 and 216 are nonwoven although any disposable or washable fabric can be used. (See the discussion below). The webs of fabric 215 and 216 are typically unwound from rolls or other sources (not shown).

[0159] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be formed would also be used for the materials to form the inner surface 211 and the outer surface 213 of multi-layer laminate webs of fabric 215 or 216.

[0160] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although they need not necessarily be, an elastic material or of a stretchable nature. Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.

[0161] The webs of fabric 215 or 216 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into their thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into their thickness. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like. The suitable webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.

[0162] Alternatively, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be derived from a spunbonded web. In a desired embodiment, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS). The total basis weight is from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy (more desirably 0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven. A pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the webs of fabric 215 and 216. Such a spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The basis weight of the SMS material may vary from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy.

[0163] In other desired embodiments, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wire-weave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 19 pounds as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cycle abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such a spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 have a weight of from about 0.5 oz. per square yard (osy) to about 1.5 osy, desirably about 0.7 osy.

[0164] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). In the structure of the garment 210, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 desirably comprise a material having a basis weight of from about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). Lesser or greater basis weights may be used in the other regions of the garment 210, such as the sleeves 276 and 278, the cuffs 285 and 287, and the collar 294. Since the garment 210 is typically intended for active wear, the webs of fabric 215 and 216, or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight that is abrasion resistant.

[0165] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be any soft and flexible sheet. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or brominated) and still retain its integrity. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown, or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough.

[0166] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.

[0167] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be made of the same material or may be made of different materials. In addition, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be both made of single layered materials, both multi-layered materials, or one of single layered materials and the other of multi-layered materials.

[0168] For embodiments wherein the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are a multi-layer laminate, both the outer surface 213 and the inner surface 211 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the outer surface 213 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the inner surface 211.

[0169] The outer surface 213 may be any suitable gatherable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although it need not necessarily be, an elastic material or of a stretchable nature. Suitable fibrous gatherable webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The gatherable webs may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.

[0170] The outer surface 213 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. The outer surface 213 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The outer surface 213 may be woven, nonwoven, or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like. A suitable material for the outer surface 213 is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.

[0171] Alternatively, the outer surface 213 may be derived from a spunbonded web. In a desired embodiment, the outer surface 213 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS). The total basis weight is from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy (more desirably 0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven. A pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the outer surface 213 and the inner surface 211. Such spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The basis weight of the SMS material may vary from about 0.4 to about 1.0 osy.

[0172] In other desired embodiments, the outer surface 213 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wire-weave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 19 pounds as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cycle abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga. The outer surface 213 has a weight of from about 0.5 oz. per square yard (osy) to about 1.5 osy, desirably about 0.7 osy.

[0173] The outer surface 213 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). In the structure of the garment 210, the outer surface 213 desirably comprises a material having a basis weight of from about 0.5 oz/yd2 (17 gsm) to about 1.5 oz/yd2 (51 gsm). Lesser or greater basis weights may be used in the other regions of the garment 210. Since the garment 210 is typically intended for active wear, the outer surface 213 or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight which is abrasion resistant.

[0174] The inner surface 211 may be any soft and flexible sheet. The inner surface 211 may permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or brominated) and still retain its integrity. The inner surface 211 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown, or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The inner surface 211 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough. Suitable adhesives for adhering the laminate layers can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wis.

[0175] The outer surface 213 and the inner surface 211 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the inner surface 211 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.

[0176] One type of embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment 210 (see FIGS. 2 and 11) for wearing about the upper body comprising at least a front panel 220, a back panel 230, a neck opening 290 defined about its perimeter by edge 292, sleeve flaps 299 and 300, and a lower body opening 244 defined about its perimeter by garment bottom edges 226 and 236. The garment 210 comprises an inner surface 211 and an outer surface 213. The garment 210 may comprise single layer webs of fabric 215 and 216 or may comprise multi-layer laminate webs of the webs of fabric 215 and 216. The materials comprising the webs of fabric 215 and 216 have been discussed above.

[0177] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 of sufficient width of fabric to make the garment 210 are provided to produce the garments 210. The desired webs of fabric 215 and 216 are nonwoven although any disposable or washable fabric can be used. (See the discussion above). The webs of fabric 215 and 216 are typically unwound from rolls or other sources (not shown).

[0178] The web of fabric 215 includes a pair of opposing web side edges 246 and 247. The web of fabric 216 includes a pair of opposing web side edges 248 and 249. The two webs of fabric 215 and 216 are unwound from rolls and brought together in a side by side orientation (see FIG. 9) and fastened together at the web side edge 247 of the web of fabric 215 and the web side edge 248 of the web of fabric 216, defining a center seam 252 of the composite web of fabric 253.

[0179] In some embodiments, portions of the center seam 252 may be left unfastened by intermittently fastening the web side edges 247 and 248 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216, respectively. The location of the center seam 252 corresponds to the seam formed by the mating of the shoulder edge 250 of the front panel 220 and the shoulder edge 251 of the back panel 230 of the finished garment 210. The desired method of fastening is ultrasonic sealing, although other methods of fastening known in the art such as heat sealing, adhesives, tape, or sewing can be used.

[0180] In another type of embodiment of the present invention, the two webs of fabric 215 and 216 to make the garments 210 are combined to produce the garments 210. The two webs of fabric 215 and 216 are unwound from rolls and brought together in a face to face (or, alternatively, back to back) orientation (see FIG. 8) and fastened together at the web side edge 247 of the web of fabric 215 and the web side edge 248 of the web of fabric 216, defining the center seam 252 of the composite web of fabric 253.

[0181] A repeating series of indentations 268 is cut into the web side edge 246 of the web of fabric 215 by a die cutter 277. (See FIG. 2). The location of the indentations 268 corresponds to the garment side edges 222 and 224 of the finished garment 210. The indentations 268 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The material to be removed from the indentations 268 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown).

[0182] The indentations 268 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as a slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the indentations 268 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the web of fabric 215 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The indentations 268 may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, size, and the like from each other or the indentations 270 within the finished garment 210.

[0183] A repeating series of indentations 270 is cut into the web side edge 249 of the web of fabric 216 by the die cutter 277. (See FIG. 2). The location of the indentations 270 corresponds to the garment side edges 232 and 234 of the finished garment 210. The indentations 270 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The material to be removed from the indentations 270 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown).

[0184] The indentations 270 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as a slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the indentations 270 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the web of fabric 216 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The indentations 270 may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, size, and the like from each other or from the indentations 268 within the finished garment 210.

[0185] The web of fabric 215 is cut into garment-sized pieces 217 by the die cutter 277. The web side edge 246 of the web of fabric 215 becomes the garment bottom edge 226 of the garment-sized piece 217. It is understood that while the web side edges 246 may typically become the garment bottom edge 226 in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edge 246 to create the garment bottom edge 226 in the finished garment 210. The piece side edges 235a and 237a of the garment-sized pieces 217 created by the cutting operation are located such that the indentations 268 are cut, producing the garment side edges 222 and 224 in the finished garments 210. It is understood that while FIG. 2 shows the die cutter 277 cutting the web of fabric 215 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253) into discrete garment-sized pieces 217 and the opposing indentations 268 and 270, these operations could be performed by separate devices and at different stages within the manufacturing process.

[0186] The web of fabric 216 is cut into garment-sized pieces 218 by the die cutter 277. The web side edge 249 of the web of fabric 216 becomes the garment bottom edge 236 of the garment-sized piece 218. It is understood that while the web side edges 247 may typically become the garment bottom edge 236 in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edge 249 to create the garment bottom edge 236 in the finished garment 210. The piece side edges 235b and 237b of the garment-sized pieces 218 created by the cutting operation are located such that the indentations 270 are cut, producing the garment side edges 232 and 234 in the finished garments 210.

[0187] In some embodiments, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are combined (as described above), forming the composite web of fabric 253 prior to being cut by the die cutter 277 into discrete garment-sized pieces 255. The web side edges 246 and 249 of the composite web of fabric become the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively, of the discrete garment-sized pieces 255. It is understood that while the web side edges 246 and 249 may typically become the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively, in the finished garments 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edges 246 and 249 to create the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively, in the finished garments 210. The piece side edges 235 and 237 of the discrete garment-sized pieces 255 created by the cutting operation are located such that the opposing indentations 268 and 270 are cut, producing the garment side edges 222 and 224 and the garment side edges 232 and 234, respectively, in the finished garments 210.

[0188] In some embodiments of the present invention, the webs of fabric 215 and 216 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253) are cut into the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized pieces 255) prior to the performance of an operation to create the opposing indentations 268 and 270 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). A repeating series of pairs of opposing indentations 269 and 271 is cut into the piece side edges 235a and 237a and the piece side edges 235b and 237b, respectively, (or, alternatively, the piece side edges 235 and 237, respectively) of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized pieces 255). The location of the opposing indentations 269 and 271 corresponds to the garment side edges 222 and 224 and the garment side edges 232 and 234, respectively, of the finished garments 210. The opposing indentations 269 and 271 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The material to be removed from the indentations 269 and 271 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown).

[0189] The opposing indentations 269 and 271 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as a lit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the opposing indentations 269 and 271 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized pieces 255) that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The opposing indentations 269 and 271, alternatively, the garment side edges 222 and 224 and the garment side edges 232 and 234, respectively, may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 210.

[0190] In some embodiments, the operation of cutting the opposing indentations 269 and 271 (or, alternatively, the opposing indentations 268 and 270) into the discrete garment-sized pieces 255 or the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253 or the webs of fabric 215 and 216) may be eliminated. As the pattern of the garment 210 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the discrete garment-sized pieces 255 or the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253 or the webs of fabric 215 and 216) that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the operations or steps of the process of manufacture, one can simply design the garment 210 such that this operation of cutting the opposing indentations 269 and 271 (or, alternatively, the opposing indentations 268 and 270) into the discrete garment-sized pieces 255 or the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253 or the webs of fabric 215 and 216) is not required. As discussed above, the arm openings 272 and 274 may be created by leaving a portion of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234, respectively, unattached.

[0191] A repeating series of openings 289 is cut by the die cutter 277 into at least one of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 (or the composite web of fabric 253). The location of the opening 289 corresponds to the neck opening 290 in the finished garment 210. The openings 289 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. It is understood that while FIG. 2 shows the die cutter 277 cutting the openings 289 and the opposing indentations 268 and 270, these cutting operations (also, the operation for cutting the opposing indentations 269 and 271) could be performed by separate devices and at different stages within the manufacturing process. The openings 289 may be cut into at least one of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 before or after the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are combined to form the composite web of fabric 253.

[0192] The opening 289 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The material to be removed from the openings 289 may be removed by any method known in the art, desirably a vacuum source (not shown). The pattern of the opening 289 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 (or the composite web of fabric 253) that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0193] In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the opening 289 may be comprised of the indentations 305a cut into the web side edge 247 of the web of fabric 215 and the indentations 305b cut into the web side edges 248 of the web of fabric 216 prior to the combining of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 to form the composite web of fabric 253. An indentation 305a and an indentation 305b are combined to form the opening 289.

[0194] The placement of the opening 289 in relation to the repeating series of opposing indentations 268 and 270, while in a typical garment 210, the opening 289 is centrally located between the repeating series of opposing indentations 268 and 270, is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253) that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. For example, the placement of the opening 289 between the repeating series of opposing indentations 268 and 270 may be symmetrically or asymmetrically located.

[0195] The placement of the opening 289 in the relation to the two pairs of the opposing indentations 269 and 271, while in a typical garment 210, the opening 289 is centrally located between the two pairs of opposing indentations 269 and 271, is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the discrete garment-sized pieces 255 (or, alternatively, the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218) that must remain having sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. For example, the placement of the opening 289 between the two pairs of opposing indentations 269 and 271 may be symmetrically or asymmetrically located.

[0196] The composite web fabric 253 is cut by the die cutter 277 into discrete garment-sized pieces 255 wherein each discrete garment-sized piece 255 contains at least one opening 289, two pairs of opposing indentations 269 and 271, one pair of opposing piece side edges 235 and 237, one pair of opposing garment bottom edges 226 and 236, and opposing garment end portions 262 and 264. The location of the opposing piece side edges 235 and 237 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 corresponds to a sleeve opening end edge 284 of a sleeve flap 299 proximate to the garment side edge 222 of the front panel 220 and the garment side edge 232 of the back panel 230, and a sleeve opening end edge 286 of a sleeve flap 300 proximate to the garment side edge 224 of the front panel 220 and the garment side edge 234 of the back panel 230, respectively, in the finished garment 210. It is understood that while the piece side edges 235 and 237 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 may typically become the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edges 235 and 237 to create the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 in the finished garment 210.

[0197] The opposing garment end portions 262 and 264 are adjacent to the garment bottom edge 226 of the front panel 220 and the garment bottom edge 236 of the back panel 230, respectively, in the finished garment 210. The location of the opposing web side edges 246 and 249 of the composite web of fabric 253 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 255) correspond to the garment bottom edge 226 of the front panel 220 and the garment bottom edge 236 of the back panel 230, respectively, in the finished garment 210. It is understood that while the web side edges 246 and 247 of the composite web of fabric 253 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 255) may typically become the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the front and back panels 220 and 230, respectively, in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the web side edges 246 and 247 of the composite web of fabric 253 (or, alternatively, the discrete garment-sized piece 255) to create the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 in the finished garment 210.

[0198] The webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 217 and 218, respectively, before the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are combined to form the composite web of fabric 253. The garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are fastened together at the web side edges 247 and 248 to form the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253. The garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 are combined to form the discrete garment-sized piece 255 such that each discrete garment-sized piece 255 contains at least an opening 289, two pairs of opposing indentations 269 and 271, one pair of opposing piece side edges 235 and 237, one pair of opposing web side edges 246 and 249, and opposing garment end portions 262 and 264, as described above.

[0199] The garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are positioned before the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 are fastened together to form the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253. The garment-sized piece 217 may be positioned by a turn roll or turn table (not shown) so as to place the garment end portion 262 of the garment-sized piece 217 adjacent the garment end portion 264 of the garment-sized piece 218. The web side edge 247 of the garment-sized piece 217 is attached at the web side edge 248 of the garment-sized piece 218, thereby forming the center seam 252.

[0200] The center seam 252, or portions thereof, can be constructed as a non-refastenable seam, as a refastenable seam, or as a combination of a non-refastenable seam and a refastenable seam. Any excess material from the webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be removed from the web side edges 247 and 248 of the center seam 252 to reduce and smooth out the center seam 252. The non-refastenable center seam 252 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or any method of fastening known in the art. The center seam 252 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. One suitable method of forming such center seam 252 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued Jul. 3, 1990, to Van Gompel et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The center seam 252 may be bonded together to form a non-refastenable center seam 252.

[0201] In other embodiments of the present invention, the web side edges 247 and 248 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216, respectively, may be held together in the finished garment 210 to form refastenable center seam 252. The refastenable means for securing the web side edges 247 and 248 of the garment 210 include refastenable adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295. The adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295 include buttons and button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, tape, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complementary device or the outer surface 213 or inner surface 211 of the garment 210. A refastenable center seam 252 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis.

[0202] In addition, elasticized fasteners 295 may also be used in assuring better fit of the garment 210. If the garment 210 includes a refastenable center seam 252, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the webs of fabric 215 and 216 before the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, before the composite web of fabric 253 is cut into the discrete garment-sized pieces 255). The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when a refastenable center seam 252 is included in the garment 210. However, there may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.

[0203] The center seam 252 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the center seam 252 is an out turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 23. Such a configured center seam 252 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the web side edges 247 and 248. The inner surfaces 211 of the front and back panels 220 and 230 at the web side edges 247 and 248, respectively, are brought into contact with each other.

[0204] Another embodiment of the center seam 252 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24. Such a configured center seam 252 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the web side edges 247 and 248. The outer surfaces 213 of the front and back panels 220 and 230 at the web side edges 247 and 248, respectively, are brought into contact with each other.

[0205] Another embodiment of the center seam 252 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 22. Such a configured center seam 252 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the web side edges 247 and 248. The inner surface 211 of one of the front and back panels 220 and 230 at the web side edges 247 and 248 is brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the other panel 220 or 230 at the web side edges 247 and 248, respectively.

[0206] Another embodiment of the center seams 252 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25. Such a configured center seam 252 is formed by folding back the web side edge 247 (or, alternatively, the web side edge 248). The outer surface 213 of the folded portion and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portion of the web side edge 247 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 220 (or, alternatively, the web side edge 248 and the corresponding portion of the back panel 230) are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the web side edge 248 and the corresponding portions of the back panel 230 (or, alternatively, the web side edge 247 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 220). It is understood that the folding back of the web side edges 247 or 248 could be performed such that the inner surface 211 would be exposed along the fold.

[0207] In the embodiments where the webs of fabric 215 and 216 or the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 are fastened together prior to the folding step, each discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through hemming, folding, and fastening operations. The folding operations are desirably carried out by tuckers and folders, as well as any other known means. The discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 is folded by a folder 279 so as to bring together the opposing garment end portions 262 and 264 such that the garment side edge 222 of the front panel 220 of the composite web of fabric 253 is folded or otherwise brought into contact with the garment side edge 232 of the back panel 230. The garment side edge 224 of the front panel 220 is folded or otherwise brought into contact with the garment side edge 234 of the back panel 230.

[0208] The mating of the garment side edge 222 and the garment side edge 232, as well as the mating of the garment side edge 224 and the garment side edge 234, form the garment side seams 240 and 242, respectively, of the garment 210. It may be desirable to redirect (or reorient) the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 to allow easy bonding of the garment side seams 240 and 242 of the garment 210. The turning operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means. The discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 may be reoriented 90 degrees (not shown).

[0209] In various embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the garment side seams 240 and 242 can be constructed as non-refastenable seams or as refastenable seams. Any excess material from the webs of fabric 215 and 216 may be removed from the edges of the garment side seams 240 and 242 to reduce and smooth out the garment side seams 240 and 242. The non-refastenable garment side seams 240 and 242 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or any method of fastening known in the art. (Sewing equipment 318 is shown in FIG. 2). The garment side seams 240 and 242 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. One suitable method of forming such garment side seams 242 and 240 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued Jul. 3, 1990, to Van Gompel et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The garment side seams 240 and 242 may be bonded together to form non-refastenable garment side seams 240 and 242.

[0210] In other embodiments of the present invention, the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234 of the garment 210 may be held together in the finished garment 210 to form refastenable garment side seams 240 and 242, respectively. The refastenable means for securing the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234 of the garment 210 include refastenable adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295. The adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295 include buttons and button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, tape, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complementary device or the outer surface 213 or the inner surface 211 of the garment 210.

[0211] In addition, elasticized fasteners 295 may also be used in assuring better fit of the garment 210. If the garment 210 includes refastenable garment side seams 240 and 242, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the webs of fabric 215 and 216 before the webs of fabric 215 and 216 are cut into discrete garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or, alternatively, the composite web of fabric 253 or the discrete garment-sized pieces 255). The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when a refastenable garment side seams 240 and 242 are included in the garment 210. However, there may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.

[0212] The garment side seams 240 and 242 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the garment side seams 240 and 242 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 23. Such configured garment side seams 240 and 242 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234, respectively. The inner surface 211 of the garment side edges 222 and 224 of the front panel 220 and the garment side edges 232 and 234 of the back panel 230, respectively, are brought into contact with each other for each pair of garment side edges.

[0213] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 240 and 242 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24. Such configured garment side seams 240 and 242 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234, respectively. The outer surface 213 of the garment side edges 222 and 224 of the front panel 220 and the garment side edges 232 and 234 of the back panel 230, respectively, are brought into contact with each other for each pair of garment side edges.

[0214] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 240 and 242 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 22. Such configured garment side seams 240 and 242 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and the garment side edges 224 and 234, respectively. The inner surface 211 of one of the garment side edges 222 and 232 and one of the garment side edges 224 and 234 are brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the other garment side edges of each pair of garment side edges.

[0215] Another embodiment of the garment side seams 240 and 242 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25. Such a configured garment side seam 240 is formed by folding back the garment side edge 222 or the garment side edge 232. The outer surface 213 of the folded portion and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portion of the garment side edge 222 or the garment side edge 232 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 220 or the back panel 230, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the non-folded garment side edge 232 or 222 and the corresponding portion of the back panel 230 or the front panel 220.

[0216] The garment side seam 242 is formed by folding back the garment side edge 224 or the garment side edge 234. The outer surface 213 of the folded portion and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portion of the garment side edge 224 or the garment side edge 234 and the corresponding portion of the front panel 220 or the back panel 230, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the non-folded garment side edge 234 or 224 and the corresponding portion of the back panel 230 or the front panel 220. It is understood that the folding back of a garment side edge 222, 232, 224, or 234, could be performed such that the inner surface 211 would be exposed along the fold.

[0217] The garment end portions 262 and 264 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 may be hemmed in the finished garment 210. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to hem the garment end portions 262 and 264 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216, respectively, before fastening the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 together to form the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253. The garment end portions 262 and 264 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 (or garment end portions 262 and 264 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218, respectively) can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the garment end portions 262 and 264 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 (or garment end portions 262 and 264 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218, respectively) unhemmed.

[0218] The garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253 may be hemmed in the finished garment 210. (Sewing equipment 317 is shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, it may be desirable to hem the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 of the webs of fabric 215 and 216, respectively, before fastening the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 together to form the discrete garment-sized piece 255 of the composite web of fabric 253. The garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 (or garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218, respectively) can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 (or garment bottom edges 226 and 236 of the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218, respectively) unhemmed.

[0219] In some embodiments of the present invention, the garment 210 includes sleeve flaps 299 and 300. (See FIGS. 14 and 15). The sleeve flaps 299 and 300 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes, such as a slit, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, multi-faceted, asymmetric or irregular, or the like. The pattern of the sleeve flaps 299 and 300 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the sleeve flaps 299 and 300 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The sleeves 276 and 278, alternately the sleeve flaps 299 and 300, may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, material, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 210. In some embodiments, only one sleeve 276 or 278 may be included in the finished garment 210.

[0220] The sleeve flap 299 has a pair of sleeve side edges 281 and 283, and a sleeve opening end edge 284 extending between the sleeve side edges 281 and 283. It is understood that the piece of the sleeve flap 299 could be made of multiple pieces of material or materials. The sleeve flap 299 is folded so as to bring together the opposing sleeve side edges 281 and 283 to form a sleeve seam 293 of the sleeve 276. It is understood that while the piece side edge 235 (or, alternatively, the piece side edges 235a and 235b) of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 may typically become the sleeve opening end edge 284 in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edge 235 (or, alternatively, the piece side edges 235a and 235b) to create the sleeve opening end edge 284 in the finished garment 210.

[0221] The sleeve flap 300 has a pair of sleeve side edges 288 and 291, and a sleeve opening end edge 286 extending between the sleeve side edges 281 and 283. It is also understood that the sleeve flap 300 could be made of multiple pieces of material or materials. The sleeve flap 300 is folded so as to bring together the opposing sleeve side edges 288 and 291 to form a sleeve seam 297 of the sleeve 278. It is understood that while the piece side edge 237 (or, alternatively, the piece side edges 237a and 237b) of the discrete garment-sized piece 255 may typically become the sleeve opening end edge 286 in the finished garment 210, fabric may be removed from or added to the piece side edge 237 (or, alternatively, the piece side edges 237a and 237b) to create the sleeve opening end edge 286 in the finished garment 210.

[0222] It may be desirable to redirect (or reorient) the garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or the discrete garment-sized piece 255) to allow easy fastening of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, of the garment 210. The turning operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means. The garment-sized pieces 217 and 218 (or the discrete garment-sized piece 255) may be reoriented 90 degrees (not shown). The sleeve seams 293 and 297 can be non-refastenable seams or refastenable seams. Any excess material of the sleeve flaps 299 and 300 can be removed from their respective edges of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 to reduce and smooth out the sleeve seams 293 and 297. The non-refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or any method of fastening known in the art, as discussed above. The non-refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis.

[0223] In other embodiments, the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the opposing pair of the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, may be held together in the finished garment 210 to form refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297. The refastenable means for securing the pair of opposing sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the pair of opposing the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, include refastenable adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295. The adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295 include buttons and button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, tape, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complementary device or the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the garment 210. The refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis.

[0224] In addition, elasticized fasteners 295 may also be used in assuring better fit of the sleeves 276 and 278 of the garment 210. If the garment 210 includes refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the sleeve flaps 299 and 300 before the indentations 269 and 271 are cut into the web side edges 246 and 249 of the composite web of fabric 253 (or the webs of fabric 215 and 216). The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when refastenable sleeve seams 293 and 297 are included in the garment 210. However, there may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.

[0225] The sleeve seams 293 and 297 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 23. Such configured sleeve seams 293 and 297 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The inner surface 211 of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, are brought into contact with each other of the pair.

[0226] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24. Such configured sleeve seams 293 and 297 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The outer surface 213 of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, are brought into contact with each other of the pair.

[0227] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 22. Such configured sleeve seams 293 and 297 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the sleeve side edges 281 and 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The inner surface 211 of one of the sleeve side edges 281 or 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 or 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, are brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the other sleeve side edge 281 or 283 and the sleeve side edge 288 or 291 of the sleeve 276 and 278, respectively.

[0228] Another embodiment of the sleeve seams 293 and 297 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25. Such configured sleeve seams 293 and 297 are formed by folding back the sleeve side edges 281 or 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 and 291 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The outer surface 213 of the folded portions and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portions of the sleeve side edges 281 or 283 and the sleeve side edges 288 or 291 and the corresponding portions of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the non-folded sleeve side edge 283 or 281 and the sleeve side edge 291 or 288 and the corresponding portions of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. It is understood that the folding back of a sleeve side edge 281, 283, 288, or 291 could be performed such that the inner surface 211 would be exposed along the fold.

[0229] The sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, (in the alternative, the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 of the sleeve flaps 299 and 300) can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286 unhemmed.

[0230] In other embodiments, cuffs 285 and 287 may be attached to the sleeve opening end edges 284 and 286, respectively, of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively, of the garment 210, forming cuff seams 308 and 310, respectively. The attachment of the cuffs 285 and 287 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed above. (Sewing equipment 316 is shown in FIG. 2). In the alternative, the attachment of the cuffs 285 and 287 may be made refastenable by means as discussed above. The cuff seams 308 and 310 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. The cuffs 285 and 287 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes. The cuffs 285 and 287 may be similar or dissimilar in shape, structure, material, size, and the like from each other within the finished garment 210. The pattern of the cuffs 285 and 287 is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the cuffs 285 and 287 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0231] The cuff seams 308 and 310 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the cuff seams 308 and 310 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 23. Such configured cuff seams 308 and 310 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the cuff edge 307 and the sleeve opening end edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 and the sleeve opening end edge 286, respectively, of the garment 210. The inner surface 211 of the cuff edges 307 and 309 of the cuffs 285 and 287, respectively, is brought into contact with the inner surface 211 of the sleeve opening edges 284 and 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively.

[0232] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 308 and 310 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24. Such configured cuff seams 308 and 310 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the cuff edge 307 and the sleeve opening edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 and the sleeve opening edge 286, respectively, of the garment 210. The outer surface 213 of the cuff edges 307 and 309 of the cuffs 285 and 287, respectively, is brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the sleeve opening edges 284 and 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively.

[0233] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 308 and 310 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 22. Such configured cuff seams 308 and 310 are formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the cuff edge 307 and the sleeve opening edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 and the sleeve opening edge 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The inner surface 211 of one of the cuff edge 307 or the sleeve opening edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 or the sleeve opening edge 286, are brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the other cuff edge 307 or the sleeve opening edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 or the sleeve opening edge 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively.

[0234] Another embodiment of the cuff seams 308 and 310 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25. Such configured cuff seams 308 and 310 are formed by folding back the cuff edge 307 or the sleeve opening end edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 or the sleeve opening end edge 286 of the sleeves 276 and 278, respectively. The outer surface 213 of the folded portions and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portions of the cuff edge 307 or the sleeve opening end edge 284 and the cuff edge 309 or the sleeve opening end edge 286 and the corresponding portions of the cuffs 285 and 287 or the sleeves 276 and 278 are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the unfolded cuff edge 307 and 309 or the sleeve opening end edge 284 and 286 and the corresponding portions of the cuffs 285 and 287 or the sleeves 276 and 278. It is understood that the folding back of a cuff edge 307 or 309 or a sleeve opening end edge 284 or 286 could be performed such that the inner surface 211 would be exposed along the fold.

[0235] The materials used for the cuffs 285 and 287 may be the same as the materials used for the other portions of the garment 210. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the materials used for the cuffs 285 and 287 have an elastic element such that the cuffs 285 and 287 will conform to the portion of the wearer's arms that come into contact with the cuffs 285 and 287.

[0236] The edge 292 of the neck opening 290 can be hemmed by any method or style known in the art. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to leave the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 unhemmed.

[0237] In other embodiments, a collar 294 may be attached to the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 of the garment 210, thereby forming a collar seam 312. The attachment of the collar 294 may be made non-refastenable by means as discussed above. (Sewing equipment 315 is shown in FIG. 2). In the alternative, the attachment of the collar 294 may be made refastenable by means as discussed above. The collar seam 312 may be constructed on a continuous or intermittent basis. The collar 294 may take on a variety of sizes and shapes. The pattern of the collar 294 is restricted only by the fashion and the minimum amount of the material of the collar 294 that is necessary to complete the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.

[0238] The collar seam 312 of the present invention may take on a variety of structures or configurations known in the art. One embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an out-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 23. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the out-turned portions of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 and the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 of the garment 210. The inner surface 211 of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 is brought into contact with the inner surface 211 of the edge 292 of the neck opening 290.

[0239] Another embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an in-turned configuration as illustrated in FIG. 24. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the in-turned portions of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 and the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 of the garment 210. The outer surface 213 of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 is brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the edge 292 of the neck opening 290.

[0240] Another embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 22. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by securing together at least a portion of the over-lapped portions of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 and the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 of the garment 210. The inner surface 211 of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 is brought into contact with the outer surface 213 of the other, the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290.

[0241] Another embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 25. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by folding back the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290. The outer surface 213 of the folded portions and the inner surface 211 of the unfolded portions of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 and the corresponding portions of the collar 294 or the front and back panels 220 and 230 are brought into contact with the inner surface 211 or the outer surface 213 of the unfolded collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 and the corresponding portions of the collar 294 or the front and back panels 220 and 230. It is understood that the folding back of the collar edge 311 of the collar 294 or the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 could be performed such that the inner surface 211 would be exposed along the fold.

[0242] Another embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 26. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by folding the collar 294 about or over the edge 292 of the neck opening 290. The collar edges 311 of the collar 294 may be folded under, bringing the outer surface 213 of the collar 294 into contact with the edge 292 of the neck opening and any portion of the adjacent material of the front panel 220, the back panel 230, or both as desired. The collar edges 311 may be left exposed by not being folding under.

[0243] Another embodiment of the collar seam 312 is an over-lapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 27. Such a configured collar seam 312 is formed by folding the collar edge 311 such that the inner surface 211 of the collar 294 is brought into contact with itself. The edge 292 of the neck opening 290 is folded such that the outer surface 213 of the front panel 220, the back panel 230, or both are brought into contact with itself. The collar edge 311 is inserted into the fold of the edge 292 of the neck opening 290. The edge 292 of the neck opening 290 is inserted into the fold of the collar edge 311. In another embodiment, the collar edge 311 is folded such that the outer surface 213 of the collar 294 is brought into contact with itself. The edge 292 of the neck opening 290 is folded such that the inner surface 211 of the front panel 220, the back panel 230, or both, is brought into contact with itself. This configured collar seam 312 may be used with any seam describe herein.

[0244] The materials used for the collar 294 may be the same as the materials used for the other portions of the garment 210. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the materials used for the collar 294 have an elastic element such that the collar 294 will conform to the portion of the wearer's neck that comes into contact with the collar 294.

[0245] In various embodiments of the present invention, the front panel 220, the back panel 230, or both panels 220 and 230 may be cut or otherwise opened to form a slit 245 or 265 (shown in FIG. 11) such as a placket. The garments 210, including one or both slits 245 and 265, can be used as a wrap, gown, robe, or the like. The slit 245 has two edges 257 and 261. The slit 265 has two edges 266 and 267. Various fastening means, such as adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295, see the discussion below, may be used to refastenably attach or secure the edges 257 and 261 or the edges 266 and 267 together to form reclosable or refastenable garments 210. The slits 245 and 265 of the front and back panels 220 and 230, respectively, may extend from the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 to the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively. In the alternative, the slits 245 and 265 may extend over only a portion of the panels 220 and 230 between the edge 292 of the neck opening 290 to the garment bottom edges 226 and 236, respectively. When the garment 210 comprises both a slit 245 in the front panel 220 and a slit 265 in the back panel 230, the slits 245 and 265 may be similar or dissimilar in size, structure, shape, and the like.

[0246] In some embodiments of the present invention, the edges 257 and 261 of the slit 245 and the edges 266 and 267 of the slit 265 may be refastenably attached or secured to each other. The edges 257 and 261 may be secured together to form the front seam 313. The edges 266 and 267 may be secured together to form the back seam 314. Various fastening means, such as adhesive and mechanical type fasteners 295, see the discussion above, may be used to refastenably attach or secure the edges 257 and 261 or the edges 266 and 267 together of the slits 245 and 265, respectively.

[0247] One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the web of fabric; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric; cutting the web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of the opposing indentations in the web side edges of the web of fabric, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0248] The openings may be intermediate the two pairs of the opposing indentations. The web of fabric may be folded, defining an arrangement of having the web of fabric wherein the opposing web side edges are adjacent each other. The web of fabric may be unfolded after at least one step of intermittently cutting the web of fabric. The web of fabric may be unfolded before the step of cutting the web of fabric into the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. The discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric may include at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric may include a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each sleeve flap includes at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0249] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened to at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0250] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0251] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric; intermittently cutting the web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0252] The web of fabric may be folded, defining an arrangement of having the web of fabric wherein the opposing web side edges are adjacent each other. The web of fabric may be unfolded after at least one step of intermittently cutting the web of fabric. The web of fabric may be unfolded before the step of cutting the web of fabric into the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. The discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric may include at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric may include a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each sleeve flap includes at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0253] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened to at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0254] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0255] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric; intermittently cutting the web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric includes at least one the neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; hemming at least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other the garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0256] The web of fabric may be folded, defining an arrangement of having the web of fabric wherein the opposing web side edges are adjacent each other. The web of fabric may be unfolded after at least one step of intermittently cutting the web of fabric. The web of fabric may be unfolded before the step of cutting the web of fabric into the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric. Each of the sleeve flaps may include at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0257] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0258] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0259] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; cutting the web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric includes at least a front panel, a back panel, two garment end portions, a portion of each the opposing web side edges of the web of fabric, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; cutting the discrete garment-sized pieces, forming edges defining at least one neck opening in each the discrete garment-sized pieces; cutting the opposing garment bottom edges of the discrete garment-sized pieces, defining two pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing garment bottom edges of the discrete garment-sized pieces, thereby forming a pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel, a pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel, and a pair of sleeve flaps; folding each the discrete garment-sized piece whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other the garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0260] The neck openings may be intermediate the two pairs of the opposing indentations. The web of fabric may be folded, defining an arrangement of having the web of fabric wherein the opposing web side edges are adjacent each other. The web of fabric may be unfolded after at least one step of intermittently cutting the web of fabric. The web of fabric may be unfolded before the step of cutting the web of fabric into the discrete garment-sized pieces of the web of fabric. Each of the sleeve flaps may include at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0261] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0262] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0263] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation, defining an arrangement wherein one of the opposing web side edges of the first web of fabric is adjacent one of the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric; fastening at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the first web of fabric to at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the second web of fabric in the side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0264] The neck openings may be intermediate the two pairs of the opposing indentations. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. The garment-sized piece of the web of fabric may comprise at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0265] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0266] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0267] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation, defining an arrangement wherein one of the opposing web side edges of the first web of fabric is adjacent one of the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric; fastening at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the first web of fabric to at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the second web of fabric in the side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other the garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0268] At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. Each sleeve flap may include at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0269] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0270] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0271] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation, defining an arrangement wherein one of opposing the web side edges of the first web of fabric is adjacent one of the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric; fastening at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the first web of fabric to at least a portion of the adjacent web side edge of the second web of fabric in the side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; hemming at least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0272] Each sleeve flap may include at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0273] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0274] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0275] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; providing a second web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; intermittently cutting the second web side edge of the first web of fabric, forming indentations; intermittently cutting the second web side edge of the second web of fabric, forming indentations; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation, defining an arrangement wherein the second web side edge of the first web of fabric is adjacent the second web side edge of the second web of fabric and the indentations of the second web side edge of the first web of fabric are adjacent the indentations of the second web side edge of the second web of fabric, thereby forming edges defining neck openings; fastening at least a portion of the second web side edge of the first web of fabric to at least a portion of the second web side edge of the second web of fabric in the side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0276] Each sleeve flap may include at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed.

[0277] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0278] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0279] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein the opposing web side edges of the first web of fabric are adjacent the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges comprising one web side edge of the first web of fabric and one web side edge of the second web of fabric and a second pair of adjacent web side edges comprising the other web side edge of the first web of fabric and the other web side edge of the second web of fabric; fastening at least a portion of the first pair of adjacent web side edges together in the face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from the second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0280] The neck openings may be intermediate the two pairs of the opposing indentations. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each sleeve flap includes at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may be unfolded. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0281] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0282] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0283] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein the opposing web side edges of the first web of fabric are adjacent the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges comprising one web side edge of the first web of fabric and one web side edge of the second web of fabric and a second pair of adjacent web side edges comprising the other web side edge of the first web of fabric and the other web side edge of the second web of fabric; fastening at least a portion of the first pair of adjacent web side edges together in the face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from the second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0284] The composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may be unfolded. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0285] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the neck opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0286] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0287] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; providing a second web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein the opposing web side edges of the first web of fabric are adjacent the opposing web side edges of the second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges and a second pair of adjacent web side edges; fastening at least a portion of the first pair of adjacent web side edges together in the face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from the second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein the opposing web edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; intermittently cutting the composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in the composite web of fabric wherein the neck openings are intermediate two pairs of the opposing indentations; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of each of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; hemming at least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0288] The composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include at least one sleeve flap having at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each sleeve flap includes at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed.

[0289] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0290] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0291] Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising the following steps: providing a first web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; providing a second web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; intermittently cutting the second web side edge of the first web of fabric, forming indentations; intermittently cutting the second web side edge of the second web of fabric, forming indentations; aligning the first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein the first web side edge of the first web of fabric is adjacent the first web side edge of the second web of fabric and the second web side edge of the first web of fabric is adjacent the second web side edge of the second web of fabric wherein the indentations of the second web side edge of the first web of fabric are adjacent the indentations of the second web side edge of the second web of fabric thereby forming edges defining neck openings; fastening at least a portion of the second web side edge of the first web of fabric to at least a portion of the second web side edge of the second web of fabric in the face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from the first web side edges of the first web of fabric and the first web side edges wherein the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of the garment; intermittently cutting the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric; cutting the composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of the discrete garment-sized pieces of the composite web of fabric includes at least one neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of the two pairs of the opposing indentations in the opposing web side edges of the composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and the pair of opposing garment bottom edges; folding the discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric whereby one of the garment bottom edges of the pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with the other garment bottom edge; and, fastening at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the front panel to at least a portion of the pair of opposing garment side edges of the back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

[0292] The composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may be unfolded. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include at least one sleeve flap having at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. The discrete garment-sized piece of the composite web of fabric may include a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each sleeve flap includes at least an inner surface, an outer surface, a sleeve opening end edge, and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges. At least a portion of at least one of the sleeve opening end edges of the sleeve flaps may be hemmed. At least a portion of at least one of the opposing garment bottom edges may be hemmed.

[0293] A collar may be provided. At least a portion of the collar may be fastened at at least a portion of the edge of the opening. At least a portion of the collar may be a ribbed knit collar. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be refastenable. At least a portion of at least one of the garment side seams may be non-refastenable.

[0294] The front panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a front seam. At least a portion of the front seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the front seam may be non-refastenable. The back panel may be slit at least a portion of the distance between the edge of the neck opening and the garment bottom edge, thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit. At least a portion of the edges of the slit may be fastened to form a back seam. At least a portion of the back seam may be refastenable. At least a portion of the back seam may be non-refastenable. At least a portion of the edge of the neck opening may be hemmed.

[0295] While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; b. intermittently cutting said web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said web of fabric; c. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric; d. cutting said web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of said opposing indentations in said web side edges of said web of fabric, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; e. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, f. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
2. The continuous process according to claim 1, wherein said neck openings are intermediate said two pairs of said opposing indentations.
3. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of folding said web of fabric, defining an arrangement of having said web of fabric wherein said opposing web side edges are adjacent each other.
4. The continuous process according to claim 3, further comprising the step of unfolding said web of fabric after at least one step of intermittently cutting said web of fabric.
5. The continuous process according to claim 3, further comprising the step of unfolding said web of fabric before step of cutting said web of fabric into said discrete garment-sized pieces of said web of fabric.
6. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of at least one of said opposing garment bottom edges.
7. The continuous process according to claim 1, wherein said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric further includes at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges.
8. The continuous process according to claim 1, wherein said discrete garment-sized pieces of said web of fabric further includes a pair of sleeve flaps wherein each said sleeve flap includes at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing sleeve side edges.
9. The continuous process according to claim 8, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of at least one of said sleeve opening end edges of said sleeve flaps.
10. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a collar.
11. The continuous process according to claim 10, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said collar to at least a portion of said edge of said neck opening.
12. The continuous process according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said collar is a ribbed knit collar.
13. The continuous process according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said garment side seams is refastenable.
14. The continuous process according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said garment side seams is non-refastenable.
15. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of slitting said front panel at least a portion of the distance between said edge of said neck opening and said garment bottom edge thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit.
16. The continuous process according to claim 15, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said edges of said slit to form a front seam.
17. The continuous process according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said front seam is refastenable.
18. The continuous process according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said front seam is non-refastenable.
19. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of slitting said back panel at least a portion of the distance between said edge of said neck opening and said garment bottom edge thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit.
20. The continuous process according to claim 19, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said edges of said slit to form a back seam.
21. The continuous process according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said back seam is refastenable.
22. The continuous process according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said back seam is non-refastenable.
23. The continuous process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of said edge of said neck opening.
24. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; b. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric; c. intermittently cutting said web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; d. cutting said web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; e. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, f. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
25. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; b. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric; c. intermittently cutting said web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; d. cutting said web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; e. hemming at least a portion of at least one of said opposing garment bottom edges; f. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, g. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
26. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a web of fabric including opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; b. cutting said web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said web of fabric include at least a front panel, a back panel, two garment end portions, a portion of each said opposing web side edges of said web of fabric, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; c. cutting said discrete garment-sized pieces, forming edges defining at least one neck opening in each said discrete garment-sized pieces; d. cutting said opposing garment bottom edges of said discrete garment-sized pieces, defining two pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing garment bottom edges of said discrete garment-sized pieces thereby forming a pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel, a pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel, and a pair of sleeve flaps; e. folding each said discrete garment-sized piece whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, f. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
27. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation defining an arrangement wherein one of said opposing web side edges of said first web of fabric is adjacent one of said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric; d. fastening at least a portion of said adjacent web side edge of said first web of fabric to at least a portion of said adjacent web side edge of said second web of fabric in said side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, i. fastening at least a portion of said pair of op posing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
28. The continuous process according to claim 27, wherein said neck openings are intermediate said two pairs of said opposing indentations.
29. The continuous process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of at least one of said opposing garment bottom edges.
30. The continuous process according to claim 27, wherein said garment-sized piece of said web of fabric further comprises at least one sleeve flap having at least a sleeve opening end edge and a pair of opposing side edges.
31. The continuous process according to claim 30, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of at least one of said sleeve opening end edges of said sleeve flaps.
32. The continuous process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of providing a collar.
33. The continuous process according to claim 32, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said collar at at least a portion of said edge of said neck opening.
34. The continuous process according to claim 32, wherein at least a portion of said collar is a ribbed knit collar.
35. The continuous process according to claim 27, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said garment side seams is refastenable.
36. The continuous process according to claim 27, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said garment side seams is non-refastenable.
37. The continuous process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of slitting said front panel at least a portion of the distance between said edge of said neck opening and said garment bottom edge thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit.
38. The continuous process according to claim 37, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said edges of said slit to form a front seam.
39. The continuous process according to claim 38, wherein at least a portion of said front seam is refastenable.
40. The continuous process according to claim 38, wherein at least a portion of said front seam is non-refastenable.
41. The continuous process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of slitting said back panel at least a portion of the distance between said edge of said neck opening and said garment bottom edge thereby defining a pair of edges of a slit.
42. The continuous process according to claim 41, further comprising the step of fastening at least a portion of said edges of said slit to form a back seam.
43. The continuous process according to claim 42, wherein at least a portion of said back seam is refastenable.
44. The continuous process according to claim 42, wherein at least a portion of said back seam is non-refastenable.
45. The continuous process according to claim 27, further comprising the step of hemming at least a portion of said edge of said neck opening.
46. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation defining an arrangement wherein one of said opposing web side edges of said first web of fabric is adjacent one of said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric; d. fastening at least a portion of said adjacent web side edge of said first web of fabric to at least a portion of said adjacent web side edge of said second web of fabric in said side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, i. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
47. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation defining an arrangement wherein one of opposing said web side edges of said first web of fabric is adjacent one of said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric; d. fastening at least a portion said adjacent web side edge of said first web of fabric to at least a portion of said adjacent web side edge of said second web of fabric in said side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. hemming at least a portion of at least one of said opposing garment bottom edges; i. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, j. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
48. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; b. providing a second web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; c. intermittently cutting said second web side edge of said first web of fabric, forming indentations; d. intermittently cutting said second web side edge of said second web of fabric, forming indentations; e. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a side by side orientation defining an arrangement wherein said second web side edge of said first web of fabric is adjacent said second web side edge of said second web of fabric and said indentations of said second web side edge of said first web of fabric are adjacent said indentations of said second web side edge of said second web of fabric thereby forming edges defining neck openings; f. fastening at least a portion of said second web side edge of said first web of fabric to at least a portion of said second web side edge of said second web of fabric in said side by side orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; g. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; h. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; i. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, j. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
49. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein said opposing web side edges of said first web of fabric are adjacent said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges comprising one said web side edge of said first web of fabric and one said web side edge of said second web of fabric and a second pair of adjacent web side edges comprising other said web side edge of said first web of fabric and other said web side edge of said second web of fabric; d. fastening at least a portion said first pair of adjacent web side edges together in said face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from said second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, i. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
50. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a providing a first web of fabric including opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein said opposing web side edges of said first web of fabric are adjacent said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges comprising one said web side edge of said first web of fabric and one said web side edge of said second web of fabric and a second pair of adjacent web side edges comprising other said web side edge of said first web of fabric and other said web side edge of said second web of fabric; d. fastening at least a portion said first pair of adjacent web side edges together in said face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from said second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, i. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
51. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; b. providing a second web of fabric including an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposing web side edges; c. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation defining an arrangement wherein said opposing web side edges of said first web of fabric are adjacent said opposing web side edges of said second web of fabric, thereby defining a first pair of adjacent web side edges and a second pair of adjacent web side edges; d. fastening at least a portion of said first pair of adjacent web side edges together in said face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from said second pair of adjacent web side edges wherein said opposing web said edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; e. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; f. intermittently cutting said composite web of fabric, forming edges defining neck openings in said composite web of fabric wherein said neck openings are intermediate two pairs of said opposing indentations; g. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of each said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; h. hemming at least a portion of at least one of said opposing garment bottom edges; i. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, j. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.
52. A continuous process for the manufacture of a garment comprising: a. providing a first web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; b. providing a second web of fabric including a first web side edge and a second web side edge; c. intermittently cutting said second web side edge of said first web of fabric, forming indentations; d. intermittently cutting said second web side edge of said second web of fabric, forming indentations; e. aligning said first and second webs of fabric together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement wherein said first web side edge of said first web of fabric is adjacent said first web side edge of said second web of fabric and said second web side edge of said first web of fabric is adjacent said second web side edge of said second web of fabric wherein said indentations of said second web side edge of said first web of fabric are adjacent said indentations of said second web side edge of said second web of fabric thereby forming edges defining neck openings; f. fastening at least a portion of said second web side edge of said first web of fabric to at least a portion of said second web side edge of said second web of fabric in said face to face orientation, defining at least a portion of a center seam and a composite web of fabric having a pair of opposing web side edges formed from said first web side edges of said first web of fabric and said first web side edges wherein said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric are proximate a pair of opposing garment bottom edges of said garment; g. intermittently cutting said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, defining pairs of opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric; h. cutting said composite web of fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each of said discrete garment-sized pieces of said composite web of fabric includes at least one said neck opening, a front panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a back panel having a pair of opposing garment side edges, a portion of said two pairs of said opposing indentations in said opposing web side edges of said composite web of fabric, a pair of sleeve flaps, two garment end portions, and said pair of opposing garment bottom edges; i. folding said discrete garment-sized piece of said composite web of fabric whereby one of said garment bottom edges of said pair of opposing garment bottom edges is brought into contact with other said garment bottom edge; and, j. fastening at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said front panel to at least a portion of said pair of opposing garment side edges of said back panel to form a pair of garment side seams.

Provisional Applications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	60210128	Jun 2000	US

Alternate process for manufacturing unibody shirts with sleeves

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Provisional Applications (1)