The present invention generally relates to garments and garment accessories. More specifically, various embodiments of the invention relate to an attachable garment collar cover. In particular, at least some embodiments of the present invention relate to a novel attachable garment collar cover which encapsulates a collar portion of a shirt, a dress, a coat, a blouse, or another article of clothing.
Various articles of clothing, such as shirts, dresses, coats, and blouses, each have a collar that surrounds a wearer's neck. In general, a collar is part of a fashion or design statement for a particular garment, and sometimes also serves a functional role of protecting the wearer's neck against wind and cold weather. In some designs, a collar can be made by modifying and utilizing a fabric material used in a main body of the same garment. In other designs, a collar can also be made of fabric materials different from other parts of the same garment.
In most cases, a collar is permanently attached to the main body of a garment by stitching. Unfortunately, for most cloth wearers, the collar tends to get dirty earlier than other parts of the garment due to neck perspiration and body oil soaking into the collar. A heavy stain commonly referred to as “ring around the collar” is a typical problem for many garments that incorporate collars. Because a collar is permanently attached to the main body of a garment, it is difficult to just wash or clean the collar selectively. In many cases, the garment is unnecessarily more frequently washed in order to clean the collar.
Furthermore, a cloth wearer's neck tends to brush against the collar frequently, thereby causing a premature wear-and-tear of the collar, compared to the main body of the garment. The premature wear-and-tear of the collar shortens the usability and the operating life of the garment. Moreover, if the fabric used in the collar is different from the fabric used in the main body of the garment, undesirable discoloration, wrinkles, or damages may be more pronounced if the garment is exposed to ironing, dryer heat, or certain chemicals in a detergent.
Therefore, it may be advantageous to provide a novel attachable garment collar cover that protects the collar from stains and damages of daily wear and tear to extend the operating life of the garment. Furthermore, it may be also advantageous to provide a novel attachable garment collar cover that can hide existing damages to the collar, which improves the operating life of the garment.
In addition, it may be also advantageous to provide a novel attachable garment collar cover that can be detached from the garment for separate washing and cleaning, which can reduce the need for frequent washing of the garment. Moreover, it may be also advantageous to provide a novel attachable garment collar cover that bears a different design, texture, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and/or color profile from the garment, which creates the effect of a unique fashion statement in combination with the garment.
Summary and Abstract summarize some aspects of the present invention. Simplifications or omissions may have been made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the Summary or the Abstract. These simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, a novel attachable garment collar cover is disclosed. This attachable garment collar cover comprises: a first collar cover blade made of a multilayer fabric; a second collar cover blade made of the multilayer fabric; a collar insert opening configured to encapsulate a collar portion of an article of clothing, wherein the first collar cover blade and the second collar cover blade encapsulate a first side and a second side of the collar portion, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; a rear attachment element comprising at least one of an elastic, a zipper, a clasp, a clip, and a pin, wherein the rear attachment element is located on a rear portion of the attachable garment collar cover, and wherein the rear attachment element enables secure fastening of the collar portion of the article of clothing, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; a first cover button hole configured to fasten with a collar button on the collar portion of the article of clothing, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; and a second cover button hole configured to overlap an underlying button hole of the article of clothing.
Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, another novel attachable garment collar cover is disclosed. This attachable garment collar cover comprises: a first collar cover blade made of a multilayer fabric; a second collar cover blade made of the multilayer fabric; a collar insert opening configured to encapsulate a collar portion of an article of clothing, wherein the first collar cover blade and the second collar cover blade encapsulate a first side and a second side of the collar portion, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; a rear elastic located on a rear portion of the attachable garment collar cover, and wherein the rear elastic enables secure fastening of the collar portion of the article of clothing, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; a first cover button hole configured to fasten with a collar button on the collar portion of the article of clothing, when the collar portion is inserted into the collar insert opening; and a second cover button hole configured to overlap an underlying button hole of the article of clothing.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
The detailed description is presented largely in terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and/or other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble an attachable garment collar cover. These process descriptions and representations are the means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.
Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, separate or alternative embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention.
In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a novel attachable garment collar cover, which encapsulates and protects the collar from stains and damages of daily wear and tear to extend the operating life of the garment. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a novel attachable garment collar cover, which encapsulates and hides existing damages to the collar, which can extend the operating life of the garment.
In addition, embodiments of the invention also relate to a novel attachable garment collar cover that can be detached from the garment for separate washing and cleaning, which in turn reduces the need for frequent washing of the garment. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention also relate to a novel attachable garment collar cover that bears a different design, texture, collar shape, collar sizing, pattern, styling, and/or color profile from the garment, which in turn engenders a unique fashion statement in combination with the garment.
For the purpose of describing the invention, a term “garment” is defined as an article of clothing, such as a shirt, a dress, a coat, and a blouse.
Moreover, a term “collar” or “collar portion” is defined as a section of an article of clothing that surrounds, covers, or frames a wearer's neck area. In one example, a collar may be formed by folding, cutting, and/or padding a fabric material that also constitutes a main body of a garment. In another example, a collar may be formed by stitching a separate piece of fabric to a main body of a garment.
In addition, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “attachable” is defined as having an ability to be attached to or detached from another element. For example, an attachable garment collar cover is capable of being attached to or detached from a garment, especially around a collar portion of the garment. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, encapsulating the collar portion of the garment with the attachable garment collar cover is an example of attaching the attachable garment collar cover to the garment.
Continuing with
In another embodiment of the invention, instead of using the rear elastic (109), the attachable garment collar cover (100) may utilize buttons, button holes, zippers, clasps, and/or pins located in a rear portion of the attachable garment collar cover (100) to enable a tight and secure fit between the attachable garment collar cover (100) and the collar portion of the shirt, the dress, the coat, the blouse, or another article of clothing, when the collar portion is inserted into the groove on the attachable garment collar cover (100). Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, it may be desirable to incorporate magnetic strips and magnetic buttons in the attachable garment collar cover (100) to secure and tighten the attachable garment collar cover (100) with the collar portion of the article of clothing.
Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (100) may have an identical or similar color, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to the shirt, the dress, the coat, the blouse, or another article of clothing with the collar portion that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (100), so that undesirable visual or design contrasts between the attachable garment collar cover (100) and the collar portion of the shirt, the dress, the coat, the blouse, or another article of clothing can be minimized.
In another embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (100) may intentionally exhibit a unique, contrasting, and/or different color, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to the shirt, the dress, the coat, the blouse, or another article of clothing with the collar portion that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (100), so that a unique fashion statement can be achieved when the attachable garment collar cover (100) encapsulates the collar portion of the shirt, the dress, the coat, the blouse, or another article of clothing.
Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first button hole edge (103) and the second button hole edge (105) each contain a cover button hole (e.g. 401, 405 in
In one example, the encapsulation of the collar portion of the article of clothing by the attachable garment collar cover (200) can be achieved when the collar portion of the article of clothing is inserted into the arched groove (211). Once inserted into the arched groove (211) of the attachable garment collar cover (200), the collar portion can be fastened by the tightening elastic action of the rear elastic (209) embedded in the attachable garment collar cover (200)
In another example, the encapsulation of the collar portion of the article of clothing by the attachable garment collar cover (200) can be achieved by attaching a portion of the attachable garment collar cover (200) to the collar portion of the article of clothing using clips, pins, clasps, zippers, or another attachment-enabling element.
Continuing with
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (200) is made of a multilayer fabric. For example, a multiple number of fabric layers can be stitched together to form the first collar blade (207) and the second collar cover blade (201). Similarly, a same set or a different set of a multiple number of fabric layers can be stitched together to embed the rear elastic (209), while also forming the arched groove (211), the first groove edge (205), and the second groove edge (203). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arched groove (211) is continuous from the first groove edge (205) to the second groove edge (203) to enable easy insertion of a collar portion of an article of clothing into the attachable garment collar cover (200).
Instead of using the rear elastic (209) as shown in
Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (200) may have an identical or similar color, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to an article of clothing with a collar portion that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (200), so that undesirable visual or design contrasts between the attachable garment collar cover (200) and the collar portion of the article of clothing can be minimized.
In another embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (200) may intentionally exhibit a unique, contrasting, and/or different color, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to an article of clothing with a collar portion that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (200), so that a unique fashion statement can be achieved when the attachable garment collar cover (200) encapsulates the collar portion of the article of clothing.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar insert opening (305) can be shaped into an arched groove (e.g. 211 of
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first cover button hole (405) can be fastened in position with a corresponding shirt collar button (411) after the shirt collar (409) is inserted into the collar insert opening (413). For example, the first cover button hole (405) on the attachable garment cover can fasten with a topmost collar button (e.g. 411) among a regular vertical column of buttons that are not specially made for the attachable garment collar cover. Similarly, a second cover button hole (401) can overlap an underlying shirt collar button hole (407) after the shirt collar is inserted into the collar insert opening. Then, the second cover button hole (401) and the underlying shirt collar button hole (407) can be fastened together by a collar cover button (415) located on the opposite inner side of the second cover button hole (401). In another embodiment of the invention, the second cover button hole (401) and the underlying shirt collar button hole (407) can be fastened together by magnetic elements. Furthermore, the second cover button hole (401) and the underlying shirt collar button hole (407) can also be fastened together by the shirt collar button (411), if the shirt wearer desires to tighten the top button on the shirt. Furthermore, the shirt wearer can also place a tie or another desirable clothing element around the attachable garment collar cover. In another embodiment of the invention, clasps, zippers, clips, pins, and/or another attachment element may be utilized in combination with or instead of the cover button holes (401, 405), the underlying shirt collar button hole (407), and the shirt collar button (411).
Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (403) may have an identical or similar color, styling, pattern, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to the shirt with the shirt collar (409) that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (403), so that undesirable visual or design contrasts between the attachable garment collar cover (403) and the shirt collar (409) can be minimized.
In another embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover (403) may intentionally exhibit a unique, contrasting, and/or different color, styling, pattern, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to the shirt, with the shirt collar (409) that gets inserted into the attachable garment collar cover (403), so that a unique fashion statement can be achieved when the attachable garment collar cover (403) encapsulates the shirt collar (409).
The shirt collar (409) as illustrated in
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first cover button hole (503) of the attachable garment collar cover (507) is fastened and tightened with a shirt collar button (505) on the shirt (501), when the collar portion of the shirt (501) is inserted into the collar insert opening of the attachable garment collar cover (507), as shown in
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover has a groove (e.g. 211 of
In one embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover may have an identical or similar color, styling, pattern, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to the first side (705) and the second side (707) of the shirt's collar, so that undesirable visual or design contrasts between the attachable garment collar cover and both sides (705, 707) of the shirt's collar can be minimized. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover may intentionally exhibit a unique, contrasting, and/or different color, styling, pattern, collar shape, collar sizing, and texture to at least one side of the shirt's collar, so that a unique fashion statement can be achieved when the attachable garment collar cover encapsulates the first side (705) and the second side (707) of the shirt's collar. Moreover, in another embodiment of the invention, the attachable garment collar cover may encapsulate a collar portion of another article of clothing, such as a dress, a coat, and a blouse, instead of the shirt as shown in
Furthermore, the attachable shirt opening liner (803) may also protect an underlying center button area of the shirt (801) against staining and wear-and-tear near the underlying center button area. In addition, the attachable shirt opening liner (803) can also hide any existing stains and/or marks near the underlying center button area. As shown in
Moreover, as also shown on
Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, instead of the shirt (801) as shown in
In the embodiment of the invention as shown in
Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, the attachable cloth opening liner (907) may also protect an underlying center button area of the article of clothing against staining and wear-and-tear near the underlying center button area. In addition, the attachable cloth opening liner (907) can also hide any existing stains and/or marks near the underlying center button area. The attachable clothing opening liner (907) can be made of single or multiple types of fabric. Preferably, the attachable cloth opening liner (907) can be securely attached to the article of clothing and the attachable garment collar cover (901) by placing each button of the article of clothing into each corresponding button hole located on the attachable cloth opening liner (907). Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the attachable cloth opening liner (907) can sandwich a contacting portion of the attachable garment collar cover (901), which makes the attachable cloth opening liner (907) to encapsulate the underlying center button area of the article of clothing completely. In another embodiment of the invention, clasps, zippers, clips, pins, and/or another attachment element may be utilized in combination with or instead of buttons and corresponding button holes.
As shown and described above, various embodiments of the present invention disclose a novel attachable garment collar cover that provides significant advantages. For example, a novel attachable garment collar cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention protects a garment's collar from stains and damages of daily wear and tear to extend the operating life of the garment. Furthermore, the novel attachable garment collar cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can provide an additional advantage of hiding existing damages to the garment's collar, which also extends the operating life of the garment.
In addition, the novel attachable garment collar cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be conveniently detached from the garment for separate washing and cleaning, which in turn reduces the need for frequent washing of the garment. Moreover, the novel attachable garment collar cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention also enables creating a different design, texture, pattern, styling, collar shape, collar sizing, and/or color profile from the garment, which in turn engenders a unique fashion statement in combination with the garment.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150096096 A1 | Apr 2015 | US |