Patent Application
20250151824
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to garments for women or men and related methods. In particular, the present subject matter relates to garments, such as swimwear, undergarments, shirts, and dresses, having upper and/or lower portions that include a concealer portion to add modesty to the garment without foam or padding.
The early 1800's marked the beginning of a revolution in swim wear when Americans flocked to the beaches for seaside recreation. The first swimsuits consisted of bloomers and black stockings. By 1855, drawers were added to prevent the problem of exposure. Women still refrained from swimming to much with the prevailing attitude of the day being that only men should swim. This prevailing attitude gradually began to change making it more acceptable for women to swim while incremental improvements were being made in the cut of the suit itself. By the 1880's the “Princess” cut swimsuit was introduced consisting of a blouse and trousers in one piece. The skirts were traded in for cotton-like pants. There was also a separate skirt that fell below the knee and buttoned at the waist to conceal the figure. A ruffled cap or a straw hat completed the ensemble. Soon after, new swimsuits were developed that relied heavily on the form of the “fashionable” body, gradually exposing more and more skin. In those days, women were still compelled to conceal their bodies so as to be “modest.” These suits were made from heavy flannel fabric that was both opaque and sturdy enough to not rise with the water.
By the end of the 19th century, swimming had become an “art,” as well as an intercollegiate and Olympic sport. With such developments, the beginning of the twentieth century marked a new daring era in swim wear for women and a realization that the current swimwear lineup had been designed without functionality in mind. As the sport grew, swimsuits became more streamlined and less heavy, paving the way for styles to come. In 1909, Australian Annette Kellerman was arrested in the United States for wearing a loose, one-piece suit that became the generally accepted swimsuit for women by 1910. After that swimsuits began the trend of becoming lighter and briefer. The apron disappeared by 1918, leaving a tunic covering the shorts. Even though matching stockings were still worn, bare legs were exposed from the bottom of the trunks to the top of the shorts. With the Roaring 20's following World War I, there was a large increase in appreciation of recreation and the spending of leisure time leading to swimsuits for women showing more skin.
With the introduction of bikinis after World War II, the female bathing suit became more and more revealing. While styles have changed over time, the use of more revealing swimwear has remained in favor to this day. Additionally, the development and use of materials such as nylon and Lycra allowed the use of thinner and more drapable, sheer and more form-fitting fabrics in the swimwear. With thinner and more fine gauge fabrics, modesty issues can arise depending on the swimsuit wearer. The thinner and more fine gauge fabrics tend to be less concealing and more revealing especially around the reproductive regions of the female anatomy. Generally speaking, American swimwear is overly padded and constructed because American women prefer to cover their reproductive regions and are not comfortable with their breast, and particularly their nipples, showing through a lightly lined swimsuit.
Therefore, a need exists for thin-fabric garments, particularly swimwear, that can provide a high level of drape, stretch and/or a more form fit for the wearer while at the same time provide concealment for parts of the body of the wearer that the wearer would like not to be displayed through the fabric of the garment to deliver modest and discreet comfort for the wearer while eliminating foam and padding from the garment.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide garments, such as swimwear, undergarments, shirts, and dresses, having upper and/or lower portions that include a concealer portion to add modesty to the garment.
While objects of the presently disclosed subject matter have been stated hereinabove, which can be achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present subject matter.
Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not as a limitation. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present subject matter cover such modifications and variations.
Although the terms first, second, right, left, front, back, etc. may be used herein to describe various features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature, element, component, region, layer or section from another feature, element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first feature, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second feature, element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure herein.
Similarly, in the present disclosure, when a feature, element, component, region, layer and/or section is being described as “top”, “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” etc., it should be understood that such terms are relative and not absolute. Thus, something that is described with the adjective of “top” may also be considered on a side or a bottom depending on the orientation of the larger subject being described. Additionally, when a feature, element, component, region, layer and/or section is being described as “under,” “on,” or “over” another feature, element, component, region, layer and/or section, it is to be understood that the features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections can either be directly contacting each other or have another feature, element, component, region, layer and/or section between the them, unless expressly stated to the contrary. Similarly, directional movement, such as “back and forth,” “forward,” “backward,” “up,” “down,” or the like are to be understood as relative descriptions that can change depending on the orientation of the subject matter relative to the viewer. Thus, these terms are simply describing the relative position of the features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections to each other and do not necessarily mean an absolute position or direction since the relative position above or below depends upon the orientation of the subject matter to the viewer.
Embodiments of the subject matter of the disclosure are described herein with reference to schematic illustrations of embodiments that may be idealized. As such, variations from the shapes and/or positions of features, elements or components within the illustrations as a result of, for example but not limited to, user preferences, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Shapes, sizes and/or positions of features, elements or components illustrated in the figures may also be magnified, minimized, exaggerated, shifted or simplified to facilitate explanation of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, the features, elements or components illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes and/or positions are not intended to illustrate the precise configuration of the subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.
As used herein, the term a “plurality” means two or more.
As used herein, the terms such as “include,” “including,” “contain,” “containing,” “having,” and the like mean “comprising.” The present disclosure also contemplates other embodiments “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consisting essentially of,” the embodiments or elements presented herein, whether explicitly set forth or not.
As used herein, the term “a,” “an,” “the” and similar terms used in the context of the disclosure (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and plural unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. In addition, “a,” “an,” or “the” means “one or more” unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, the term “or” can be conjunctive or disjunctive.
As used herein, the term “substantially” means to a great or significant extent, but not completely.
As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that is similar to a stated reference value, or within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, such as the limitations of the measurement system. In one aspect, the term “about” refers to any values, including both integers and fractional components that are within a variation of up to ±10% of the value modified by the term “about.” Alternatively, “about” can mean within 3 or more standard deviations, per the practice in the art. Alternatively, such as with respect to biological systems or processes, the term “about” can mean within an order of magnitude, in some embodiments within 5-fold, and in some embodiments within 2-fold, of a value. As used herein, the symbol “˜” means “about” or “approximately.”
The term “disc concealer” as used herein means a thin, drapable, and stretchable material, such as a fabric, a wearable film, or combination thereof, that is flat and pliable before installation and is pliable after securement in the garment so that the area of the garment where the disc concealer is applied is still drapable and has a shape that provides modesty coverage of an area of a garment intended to cover reproductive regions of a wearers body.
The term “bra front” as used herein means the front portion of a garment configured for receiving a breast of a female wearer.
The term “cup” as used herein means the front portion of a garment configured for receiving a breast of a female wearer. The terms “cup” and “bra front” are used interchangeably herein with bra fronts and cups comprising fabric or other non-foam material.
The term “sheer fabric” as used herein means a thin, fine gauge fabric that can be opaque or transparent and that has a high level of drapability that can conform to or drape off of a wearer's body depending of the construction of the garment in which the fabric is used.
The term “lightly lined garment” as used herein means a garment having an inner liner that comprises a fabric having a weight of about 10 oz./yd.2 or less.
The term “structural seam(s)” as used herein means one or more seams that are critical to the structure and functionality of a garment that allow the garment to function as a garment. Examples of structural seams include, but are not limited to, sleeve seams, neckline seams, and side seams on shirts and dresses and seams holding front, back, and/or side sections of undergarments, swimwear or the like.
The term “non-structural seam(s)” as used herein means one or more seams that are not critical to the structure or functionality of a garment functioning as a garment.
The term “reproductive region” as used herein means genitalia on either men or women and breast on women, particularly, the nipple and areola of a female breast.
To give further context, the marketplace is currently populated with bras with permanent foam cups, bras with removable floating cups, and lined bras. The bras with permanent foam cups have large pads that add an unnatural looking shape, but some women like them for the modesty coverage or for their ability to reshape the bustline. With bras with removable foam floating cups, the removable pads are inserted into a pocket on the side of each cup of the bra. These bras are meant to allow the consumer to wear the garment the way that she prefers. Most wearers find that the pad gets crunched, floats around, or is visible through the garment. The lined bras have a single liner against the exterior fabric with no padding, foam, or extra liners. The lined bra has a simple construction with the single liner lining the bra fronts. Consumers who prefer a natural look, or who don't like much construction like the lined bra, but many feel as if the lined bra does not quite give enough modesty coverage. In some embodiments, the exterior fabric can be opaque. In some embodiments, the exterior fabric can be transparent.
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to different embodiments of strategically designed garments of sheer fabrics for women such as bras, undergarments, and swimwear having lightly lined upper portions and/or lower portions that include a concealer portion formed in the exterior fabric for strategic placement in a garment for modesty. The garment when worn covers at least one or more reproductive regions of a female wearer. The garment can comprise a thin, drapable and stretchable exterior fabric that forms an exterior portion of the garment. The disc concealer portion can comprise a knitted portion of the fabric that has one or more different thicknesses within a specific area of the fabric to be used to conceal reproductive regions. In some embodiments, the garment can comprise a disc concealer having a thickness that is the same or less than a thickness of the thin exterior fabric that forms the exterior portion of the garment. In some embodiments, the garment can comprise a disc concealer having a thickness that is about at most double the thickness of the thin exterior fabric that forms the exterior portion of the garment. The disc concealer can be secured to an interior portion of the thin exterior fabric at a position where a reproductive region of the female wearer is intended to reside within the garment to add a thin pliable extra layer to further conceal the reproductive region of the male or female wearer and is not secured to a structural seam that holds the sections of the garment together. In some embodiments of female garments that have bra fronts therein, the garment can have a first liner comprising a thin fabric that is secured to an interior portion of the thin exterior fabric that forms the exterior cup portion, or bra front, on a frontal portion of the garment and the disc concealer can be secured to an interior portion of the first liner at a distance from the structural seams. The garment can be underpants, bras, shirt or dresses that directly contact the body of the wearer, biking shorts, yoga pants, workout pants, one-piece swimsuit, men's shorts and swim trunks, the tops and bottoms of two-piece swimsuits. For example, with bras or swim suit tops, the idea is to add an additional layer that is not padding, thick fabric, or foam just over the center of each of the bra fronts that does not extend to the seams that hold the sections of the garment together as a modesty layer for the purpose of modesty just over the nipple area of the swimwear or intimates bra, but without adding bulk, for example, in the neckline or armhole seam, such as a third layer of lining, a bra pad, etc. The purpose is to keep the swim bra natural looking on the outside by removing extra padding or thickness that adds bulk and waste fabrics. The disc concealer adds an extra modesty layer only where it's needed. While these disc concealers can be used in other garments and areas of men and women garments, further explanation is provided herein with reference mainly to garment tops.
The subject matter disclosed herein also relates to a garment that can comprise an exterior fabric that forms an exterior portion of the garment with the exterior fabric being pliable such that the garment is pliable as well. The garment also comprises a disc concealer that can be secured to an interior portion of the garment without being connected at any structural seams. The disc concealer is at a position where a reproductive region of a wearer will reside upon the wearer wearing the garment to add a thin extra layer around an interior area of the garment where the reproductive region is intended to reside such that the garment is still pliable even in areas where the disc concealer is secured. The disc concealer can comprise a body with an outer shape with an outer perimeter and a center portion. The body comprises a water-based and solvent-free film having aeration apertures therein to permit the body to be breathable. The disc concealer can also comprise a plurality of articulation channels in the disc concealer to permit the disc concealer to conform to the reproductive region of the wearer without the disc concealer protruding unnaturally within the garment.
Referring to
Referring to
Unlike other linings or liners, the disc concealers 20 are not attached at the structural seams 13, 19 of the garment 10, but are secured to a liner or the exterior fabric 12 separate and apart from the structural seams of the garment. For example, at some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about two and half (2½) inches or less away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about two (2) inches or less away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about one and a half (1½) inches or less away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about one (1) inch or less away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about 0.5 (½) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about 0.25 (¼) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be a distance DC of about 0.125 (⅛) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. In some garment embodiments, the garment may be a seamless garment meaning that there are no structural seams with the garment. The disc concealers 20 can be used within such seamless garments as well. As explained herein, in some embodiments, the garment can comprise a single layer exterior fabric with the disc concealers 20 secured to an inner face of the exterior fabric in the garment.
The disc concealers 20 can be secured within the bra front 14 and/or to the exterior fabric 12 in different manners. The disc concealer 20 can be secured by an adhesive or adhesive material. As used herein, the terms “adhesive” and “adhesive material” are used interchangeable. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As shown in
For some embodiments, each of the disc concealers 20 can comprise a wearable film such as a film comprising a water-based solvent-free film having a diameter or longest width or length of between about two (2) inches and six (6) inches. For some embodiments, each of the disc concealers 20 can comprise a wearable film such as a film comprising a water-based polyurethane resin material. For some embodiments, each of the disc concealers 20 can comprise a wearable film in the form of a tape that comprising a water-based solvent-free film substrate with an adhesive on one side for securing the disc concealer to the fabric. Such film disc concealers can have aeration apertures therein to increase the breathability of the disc concealer 20 as explain below in other embodiments.
In some embodiments, the exterior fabric 12 of the garment 10 can comprise a stretchable knitted fabric having a weight of about 7 oz/yard2 or less. In some embodiments, the exterior fabric 12 of the garment 10 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 10 oz./yd.2 or less. In some embodiments, the exterior fabric 12 of the garment 10 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 5.5 oz./yd.2 or less. In some embodiments, the exterior fabric 12 of the garment 10 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 4.5 oz./yd.2 or less.
The disc concealers 20 can be any type of fabric and/or other wearable material, such as a wearable film material, or combination thereof that can have the same or similar stretch and drapability as the exterior fabric 12 in order to function in a way that makes it look as minimal or “bare” as possible, while still adding that extra layer at specific portions of the garment to provide modesty. For example, the fabric of the disc concealers 20 can be a stretchable nonwoven or knit fabric. In some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can comprises a stretchable knitted fabric having a weight of about 5.5 oz/yard2 or less. In some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can comprise knitted fabrics having yarns comprising polyester, nylon, elastane, wool, silk, cotton, rayon, bamboo, or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can comprise a knitted fabric comprising nylon and elastane.
The disc concealers 20 can also have different images thereon that are visible when viewing the interior portion 14A of the garment that faces the body of the wearer but are not visible from the exterior 14B. For example, images of flowers, stars, leaves, the moon, or the like, can be printed on the side of the disc concealer 20 facing outward when secured to the interior 14A of the garment 10. For example, an image of a leaf can be printed on the leaf-shaped disc concealer 20.
Referring to
The garment 10 can be a lightly lined garment that can further comprise first liners 30 comprising a thin, sheer fabric. For example, in some embodiments, the first liner 30 can comprise a fabric with a weight of about 10 oz./yd.2 or less. In some embodiments, the first liner 30 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 7 oz./yd.2 or less. In some embodiments, the first liner 30 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 5.5 oz./yd.2 or less. In some embodiments, the first liner 30 can comprise a fabric that weighs about 4.5 oz./yd.2 or less.
The first liners 30 can be secured to an interior portion of the exterior fabric 12 that forms the exterior 14B to form an interior 14A of each of the bra fronts 14 on a frontal portion of the garment 10. The garment 10 can comprise disc concealers 20 secured to an interior portion of the first liners 30 at a position where the female wearer's breast is intended to reside to add a thin sheer extra layer around the interior area of the bra fronts 14 where a nipple of the breast is intended to reside. As above, in some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can have a thickness that is the same or less than a thickness of the exterior fabric 12 that forms the exterior 14B of the cups 14 of the garment 10. In some embodiments, the thickness of the disc concealer can be about twice the thickness of the exterior fabric 12.
To provide a sheer-fitting, the thin, sheer exterior fabric 12 can be drapable and can comprise a stretchable knitted fabric having a weight of about 7 oz/yard2 or less. The disc concealers 20 can be any type of fabric or other fine material, including but not limited to, film material or laminates comprising one or more layers of fabrics and/or film. The disc concealers 20 can have the same or similar stretch and drapability as the exterior fabric 12 in order to function in a way that makes it look as minimal or “bare” as possible, while still adding that extra layer at specific portions of the garment. For example, the fabric of the fabric disc concealers 20 can be a stretchable nonwoven or knit fabric. If a woven fabric can provide the same or similar stretch and drapability as the exterior fabric 12, then such a woven fabric can be used to make the disc concealers 20. In some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can comprise a stretchable knitted fabric having a weight of about 5.5 oz/yard2 or less. For example, the fabric disc concealers 20 comprises a nylon elastane knit fabric.
Unlike other linings or liners, the disc concealers 20 are not attached at the structural seams 13, 19 of the garment 10 that hold the section of the overall garment together, but are secured to a liner or the exterior fabric 12 separate and apart from those structural seams 13, 19 of the garment 10 as above. By having disc concealers 20 that do not extend to the structural seams of the garment 10, waste can also be minimized while still providing modesty coverage for the wearer. For example, in the embodiments, the disc concealer 20 can be secured to a liner by an adhesive material. In some embodiments, the disc concealers 20 can be secured to the first liner 30 with garment tape around an edge of the discs 20 through a heat-sealing process. The tape is applied with a dual side adhesive, so the disc concealers 20 can be applied directly to the liner 30. The disc concealers 20 can be attached to the inside of the liner 30, making the disc an interliner (not shown), sandwiched between the first liner 30 and the exterior fabric 12 that forms the face of the garment, making the disc invisible to the wearer. Alternatively, the disc concealers 20 can be bonded to the exterior of the liner 30 that forms an interior portion 14B of the bra fronts 14 of the garment 10, facing towards the wearer's skin in a visible way. In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring to
The exterior fabric 52 can be drapable and can comprise a stretchable knitted fabric having a weight of about 7 oz/yard2 or less. The disc concealers 60, 60A can be any shape or size as those shown in
The disc concealers 60 are not attached at the structural seams 56 of the garment bottom 50 but are secured to the liner 54 or the thin, sheer exterior fabric 52 separate and apart from the structural seams 56 of the garment bottom 50. For example, at some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about 0.03125 ( 1/32) or more inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about 0.125 (⅛) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about 0.25 (¼) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about 0.5 (½) or less inches away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about one (1) inch or less away from the nearest structural seam. At some locations in some garment embodiments, the disc concealer 60 can be a distance DC of about two (2) inches or less away from the nearest structural seam.
The disc concealers 60 can be secured in different ways. For example, disc concealers 60 can be secured by adhesive, or adhesive material. In some embodiments, the disc concealers 60, 60A can be secured to the interior portion of the liner 54 with garment tape around an edge of the disc concealers 60, 60A through a heat-sealing process as discussed above. The tape can be applied with a dual side adhesive, so the disc concealers 60, 60A can be applied directly to the liner 54. The disc concealers 60, 60A can be attached through a heat-sealing process to the inside of the liner 54, making the disc concealers an interliner, sandwiched between the first liner 54 and the thin, sheer exterior fabric 52 that forms the face of the garment bottom 50, making the disc invisible to the wearer. Alternatively, the disc concealers 60, 60A can be secured by stitching to the inside of the liner 30, making the disc concealers 60, 60A interliners, sandwiched between the liner 54 and the exterior fabric 52 that forms the face of the garment bottom 50.
The intention of the disc concealers 20, 40, 42, 44, 60, 60A are to have the same or similar properties as the outer fabric, including stretch and drapability, so the wearer intimate areas look as natural as possible in her swimwear or intimate undergarments. It eliminates the need for a bulky foam pad, yet offers modesty to the clientele who prefer it.
Referring to
The disc concealers 100 are not attached at structural seams 94, 96, 98 of the garment 90 but are secured to the exterior fabric 92 separate and apart from the structural seams 94, 96, 98 of the t-shirt 90. Depending on the size of the t-shirt 90 and the size of the concealers 100, the distances DC1, DC2 between the edges of the concealers 100 to the closest structural seams 94, 96, 98 can vary as described above. Other garments such as dresses, for example, sundresses, can employer disc concealers in a similar fashion as to t-shirt 90.
In further embodiments, the disc concealers can have articulation channels formed therein that further facilitate a more natural look. In particular, the articulations channels can allow the wear's reproductive region to move within the garment as the wearer moves while helping to prevent unnatural looking ridges or protrusions that show through the external fabric of a garment due to creases or folders in the disc concealer or caused by an outer perimeter of the disc concealer that presents itself as a protruding outline in the garment. For example as shown in
The garment 110 can also comprise a disc concealer 120 as shown in
For example, in the embodiment shown in
Additionally, the disc concealer 128 can further comprise a notch 129 on the outer circumference 124. The notch 129 can be used to ensure proper placement and orientation of the disc concealer 120 when placing it in the garment 110. For example, the notch 129 can be in one of the projections 127 formed by the articulation channels 128 that can be used indicate the particular projection 127 with the notch 129 in it should be placed pointing upward on a bra front in which it is installed as the upper most portion of the disc concealer 120 on the bra front. In this manner, the notch 129 can provide information relating to at least one of orientation of the disc concealer 120 and its placement in the garment.
Unlike the disc concealers 120 shown in
Additionally, the articulation channels 138 of the disc concealer 130 can have a longer depth distance DD than the articulation channels 128 of the disc concealers 120 such that the center portion 136 is smaller than the center portion 126 of the disc concealers 120. Even though the center portion 136 is smaller, it still provides discrete modesty coverage of the most sensitive area of the reproduction region, such as the nipple. For example, in some embodiments, each of the four channels 138 can extend inward to a channel base 135 such that the center portion 136 can have a width DC of about 0.25 inches. For example, for embodiments that have an even number of articulation channels 138, the width DC can be measured from opposing channel bases 135 that are aligned across from each other. Alternatively, the center portion 136 can be defined by a circular area of the disc concealer 130 that has an outer circumference that touches or is just under the channel bases 135. Thereby, the center portion 136 of the disc concealer 130 can be defined by the channel bases 135 and the width of the center portion 136 can be a diameter DC of the circular area of the disc concealer 130 that constitutes the center portion 136.
Similarly, if the articulation channels 138 are equidistant apart from one another, then each of the four articulation channels 138 of the disc concealer 130 can extend inward converging toward the center portion 136 of the disc concealer 130 to points where the channel bases 135 are at a distance DA from adjacent channel bases 135. For example, in some embodiments, the distance DA between adjacent channel bases 135 can be between about 0.25 inches and about 1 inch. In some embodiments, the distance DA between adjacent channel bases 135 can be between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. For instance, in some embodiments, each of the four articulation channels 138 of the disc concealer 130 can extend inward converging toward the center portion 136 of the disc concealer 130 to points where the channel bases 135 have a distance DA of about 0.25 inches from adjacent channel bases 135.
With the smaller widths DCH as well as the longer depth distance DD of articulation channels 138 of the disc concealer 130, the projections 137 of the disc concealer 130 formed by the articulation channels 138 are larger than the projections 127 of the disc concealer 120. Similarly, the center portion 136 of the disc concealer 130 is smaller than the center portion 126 of the disc concealer 120. Thereby, the different disc concealers 120, 130 can provide different coverage with less of a noticeable presence in the garment depending on the intended use. For example, the disc concealers 120 may be better for use in certain cup sizes for women, while disc concealers 130 may be better for use in other cup sizes. While the articulation channels 128, 138 are shown to be symmetrical in natural in the respective disc concealers 120, 130 in
As stated above, the number of articulation channels in a disc concealer can vary. For example, the number of articulation channels in a disc concealer can vary depending on the use and/or desired effect.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The disc concealer 170 can also comprise a center portion 176. The articulation channels 178 extend inward from the outer perimeter 174 toward the center portion 176. As shown in
Referring to
The disc concealer 180 can comprise a plurality of articulation channels 188 in the disc concealer 180 to permit the disc concealer 180 to conform to the reproductive region of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
The disc concealer 190 can comprise two or more articulation channels 198 in the disc concealer 190. As above, in the embodiment shown in
For example, other embodiments of disc concealers are shown in reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The disc concealer body members 232B can reside on the transfer sheet 240 in a pattern that creates the articulation channels 238. The transfer sheet 240 can comprise a paper, such as a wax paper or polymer, that allows for the release of the disc concealer body members 232B onto a fabric of a garment through the application of heat and/or pressure, for example. The disc concealer body members 232B can include an adhesive layer 233 that can be placed on a side of the disc concealer body members 232B that is to be secured to the fabric of the garment. The adhesive layer 233 can comprise small intermittently spaced adhesive areas, known as adhesive dots 233. The adhesive dots 233 can be heat and/or pressure activated to secure the disc concealer body members 232B of the disc concealer 230 to the fabric forming the articulation channels 238.
Similar to the embodiment shown in
The aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can be spaced apart uniformly or randomly across the body 302. In some embodiments, the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can be spaced apart by between about 1/32 of an inch and about % of an inch. In some embodiments, the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can be spaced apart by about ⅛ of an inch. The size and shape of each of the aeration apertures 310 can vary. In some embodiments, each of the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can have a width or diameter (i.e., the size) of 1 mm or less, i.e., 0.039 inches or less. In some embodiments, each of the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can have a width or diameter (i.e., the size) of between about 0.5 mm, i.e., about 0.020 inches and about 2 mm, i.e., about 0.079 inches. In some embodiments, each of the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can have a width or diameter (i.e., the size) of about 1 mm, i.e., about 0.039 inches. In some embodiments, each of the aeration apertures 310 within the body 302 can have a width or diameter (i.e., the size) of about 1.5 mm, i.e., about 0.059 inches.
In some embodiments, the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 can comprise a single layer of polymer. In some embodiments, the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 can have a weight of about 140 g/m2, i.e., about 4.12 oz./yd.2. In some embodiments, the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 can have a thickness of about 130 μm, or about 0.13 mm.
In some embodiments, the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 can comprise a water-based polyurethane resin. For example, instead of using a polyurethane resin in DMF (Dimethylformamide), a dispersion of polyurethane in water can be used to allow the removal of a solvent abatement system within the process. In this manner, a solvent-free product can be produced due to the integration with extrusion processes that do not use solvents by their nature. In such embodiments, the film that can be used to form the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 is not in touch with any hazardous chemicals, from raw materials to production to applying the product on the garment and can adhere to strict chemical compliance protocols (4Chem) and traceability (4Trace). The body 302 of the disc concealer 300 made from such a film can reside against the skin and sensitive areas of a wearer without irritation. The body 302 of the disc concealer 300 made from such a film can be transparent or opaque.
By definition, the heat-bonding technologies and materials used are in the direction of a more sustainable product and process. The film used to form the body 302 of the disc concealer 300 can thus help fashion circularity, respecting a strict chemical protocol, with no pollution emitted and a percentage of released microplastics that are even lower than that of recycled polyester.
The disc concealer 300 can be undetectable from the outside of the garment 320 such that an observer can no longer able to see the outline of the disc concealer 300. The disc concealer 300 can be environmentally friendly by being water based and solvent free. Further, the disc concealer 300 can be thinner and therefore more comfortable against the body, while the disc concealer 300 works to restrict the nipple of a female wearer from showing through the garment 320.
Even with the addition of a water-based, solvent-free film disc concealer 300 to the exterior fabric 322 of the garment 320 does not eliminate the stretch provided to the garment 320 by the exterior fabric 322 where the is applied so that the garment 320 maintains its drapability and stretch in the areas of the garment 320 where the disc concealer 300 is applied. Thus, the garment 320 stays pliable even in the areas of the garment 320 where is applied to the interior of the exterior fabric 322.
For example, samples of single layer exterior fabrics and samples of the same type of single layer garments with the water-based, solvent-free film disc concealer 300 secured thereto were tested using the ASTM standard test method for stretch properties of knitted fabrics having low power, ASTM D-2594. The exterior fabrics were tested in the two major fabric directions. In particular, the fabrics were measured in the machine direction, i.e., the direction that the fabric is produced through the knitting machine, and the cross machine direction of the fabric. The fabrics tested included the following:
It was found that with the lower stretch raschel knit exterior fabric described above still had a standard stretch for a knit and that the addition of the film disc concealer did not affect the stretch of the fabric in a meaningful way. On the other hand, it was found that the high stretchable knitted exterior fabrics, the opaque warp knit fabric and the stretch mesh fabric described above, tested had a stretchability of between about 75% to about 100% depending on the different directions in which they are stretched. The samples of these exterior fabrics with the disc concealer thereon when tested were found that the same type of fabrics had a stretchability of 50% where the disc concealer resided in both major directions.
Based on the tests, for standard stretch knit exterior fabrics, that have a standard level of stretch and drapability, the stretchability of the fabric with the disc concealer thereon may have the same or similar stretch as the same fabric without the disc concealer thereon. For highly stretchable knit exterior fabrics that have a high level of stretch and drapability, the stretchability of the fabric with the disc concealer thereon may be reduced between about 30% and about 50%. Even so, for highly stretchable knitted exterior fabrics, the application of the water-based, solvent-free film disc concealer still provided a stretchability of about 50% in both major directions. Thus, even with the application of the disc concealer to the exterior fabric, such areas of the fabric provide good stretch and drapability.
Additionally, in some embodiments as shown in
For example, the normal portions 358 can have a lower fabric density while the one or more concealer regions 360 can have a higher fabric density. For example, the normal portions 358 can have a lower fabric weight per unit area while the one or more concealer regions 360 can have a higher fabric weight per unit area. As an example, the normal portions 358 of exterior fabric 352 can have a fabric weight of about 7 ounces per square yard (oz./yd.2) or less. In some embodiments, for example, the normal portions 358 of exterior fabric 352 can have a fabric weight of about 4 and about 7 ounces per square yard (oz./yd.2). The one or more concealer regions 360 can have a fabric weight of about 8 ounces per square yard (oz./yd.2) or greater. In some embodiments, the one or more concealer regions 360 can comprise a fabric weight that ranges between about 8 oz./yd.2 and about 16 oz./yd.2. Some portions of the one or more concealer regions 360 can have a fabric weight between about 12 oz./yd.2 and about 16 oz./yd.2.
The concealer region 360 can comprise a first concealer section 362 and a second concealer section 364 with the first concealer section 362 comprising a greater fabric density than the second concealer section 364 as described above. The second concealer section 362 can provide a smoother, less noticeable, or unnoticeable, transition from the normal portions 358 of the exterior fabric 352 to first concealer section 364. As with the previous embodiment, the second concealer section 382 can surround the first concealer section 364 such that the second concealer section 362 forms an outer perimeter of the respective concealer region 360. In such embodiments, the second concealer regions 362 can comprise a fabric weight that ranges between about 8 oz./yd.2 and about 12 oz./yd.2, while the first concealer section 384 can comprise a fabric weight that ranges between about 12 oz./yd.2 and about 16 oz./yd.2.
Additionally, the primary outer yarns of the different parts of the exterior fabric 352 can comprise different types of yarn on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352. For example, the normal portions 358 can comprise a first primary outer yarn or yarn combination on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352, the second concealer section 362 can comprise a second primary outer yarn or yarn combination on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352 and the first concealer section 364 can comprise a third primary outer yarn or yarn combination to provide different properties. For example, in some embodiments, the normal portions 358 can comprise a nylon on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352, the second concealer section 362 can comprise a silk/bamboo on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352 and the first concealer section 364 can comprise silk on the interior 354 of the exterior fabric 352.
Referring to
These and other modifications and variations to the present subject matter may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter, which is more particularly set forth herein above. In addition, it should be understood the aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the present subject matter.
This application is a continuation-in-part patent application which claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/383,022, filed Nov. 9, 2022, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/326,111, filed May 20, 2021, which claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/773,732, filed Jan. 27, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/796,797, filed Jan. 25, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63383022 | Nov 2022 | US | |
| 62796797 | Jan 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17326111 | May 2021 | US |
| Child | 18505911 | US | |
| Parent | 16773732 | Jan 2020 | US |
| Child | 17326111 | US |
