NONCOMPRESSIVE UNDERGARMENTS

Abstract

A noncompressive undergarment is configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath a garment to restrict direct contact between the wearer and the garment. The undergarment includes front and back undergarment panels each presenting a top margin extending along a neck opening of the undergarment. The undergarment includes opposite undergarment sleeves that are each connected to the undergarment panels and at least partly form respective shoulders of the undergarment.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to undergarments. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a noncompressive undergarment configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath another garment.

Discussion of Related Art

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that outer garments, such as sweaters, having fabrics with coarse or otherwise abrasive fibers, are known to be uncomfortable to wear. For instance, the use of such garment fabrics is known to irritate the wearer's skin and may cause redness, itching, and general discomfort. Outer garments with such fabrics are also known to be relatively bulky and prone to becoming bunched up, which may also cause discomfort.

Although prior art tee shirts, tank tops, and/or compressive shapewear may be donned as an undergarment to protect the user, these conventional undergarments have various deficiencies. The sleeves and bottom hem of known undergarments are generally too long and cause the sweater, or other outer garment, to bunch up and look bulky. Conventional undergarments are generally unable to eliminate irritation and are uncomfortable to wear for long stretches of time. The underlayer seams of existing undergarment products are typically visible through the outer garment. Conventional undergarments also interfere with the normal look, fit, and/or drape of the outer garment, particularly for v-neck outer garments, such that the outer garment is bulky, ill-fitting, and uncomfortable. Prior art undergarments are also known to undesirably compress the bust area and interfere with separation of the bust.

This background discussion is intended to provide information related to the present invention which is not necessarily prior art.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a noncompressive undergarment that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of prior art undergarments, including those set forth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns a noncompressive undergarment configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath a garment to restrict direct contact between the wearer and the garment. The undergarment broadly includes front and back undergarment panels and opposite undergarment sleeves. The front and back undergarment panels each present a top margin extending along a neck opening of the undergarment. The undergarment sleeves are each connected to the undergarment panels and at least partly form respective shoulders of the undergarment. Each of the sleeves is connected along the top margin of each panel along respective raglan seams that end at spaced apart locations along the neck opening so that the sleeve forms a raglan sleeve.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns a noncompressive undergarment configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath a garment to restrict direct contact between the wearer and the garment. The undergarment broadly includes front and back undergarment panels each presenting a top margin extending along a neck opening of the undergarment. The undergarment presents opposite inner and outer garment surfaces. The panels include a fabric that forms the garment surfaces, with the fabric having an inner weave pattern associated with the inner garment surface and an outer weave pattern associated with the outer garment surface.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a noncompressive undergarment constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the undergarment being donned by a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIG. 1, showing a front panel and sleeves of the undergarment;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a rear panel and sleeves of the undergarment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the noncompressive undergarment taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a front panel pattern used to cut material for the front panel of the undergarment;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a rear panel pattern used to cut material for the rear panel of the undergarment;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a sleeve pattern used to cut material for the sleeve of the undergarment;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective of a noncompressive undergarment constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the undergarment being donned by a wearer;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIG. 9, showing a front panel and sleeves of the undergarment;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, showing a rear panel and sleeves of the undergarment;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a noncompressive undergarment constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a front panel attached to a rear panel of the undergarment; and

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the noncompressive undergarment shown in FIG. 12, showing the rear panel of the undergarment.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. While the drawings do not necessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustrated components or structures, the drawings, not including any purely schematic drawings, are to scale with respect to the relationships between the components of the structures illustrated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning initially to FIGS. 1-8, a noncompressive undergarment 20 is configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath an outer garment to restrict direct contact between at least a portion of the wearer and the garment. Embodiments of the invention are preferably configured so that the undergarment 20 provides a barrier between the wearer's skin and the outer garment. For instance, the undergarment 20 may be worn over a brassiere and under a sweater or other garments made of abrasive or skin-irritating fabrics or materials.

Although the undergarment 20 is preferably worn under an outer garment, for some aspects of the present invention the noncompressive garment may be worn as a standalone shirt without an outer garment.

Within the scope of the present invention, embodiments of the noncompressive undergarment are sized and configured to be form-fitting while being “noncompressive.” As used herein, this term means that the elasticity and fabric weave of the noncompressive undergarment is loose enough so as to not compress, reduce, squeeze, constrict, or shape the wearer's body. For instance, the noncompressive undergarment is preferably not shapewear, compression underwear, or compressive thermal underwear. Instead, “noncompressive” undergarments of the present invention mean that they are constructed to skim and glide over the wearer's body without tightness or compression.

For at least some aspects of the present invention, the undergarment also preferably does not comprise an article of clothing with a built-in brassiere or other bust support (e.g., shelf bra). Embodiments of the undergarment are generally not configured and shaped to be worn under a brassiere. Rather, embodiments of the undergarment are constructed so that the undergarment may be worn over a brassiere. At the same time, the undergarment preferably enables the outer garment to lay flat while preventing bunching and bulking of the outer garment.

Furthermore, embodiments of the undergarment are preferably not configured for medical purposes (e.g., where a garment presents a dedicated closure or opening for facilitating medical treatment or other medical care). Embodiments of the undergarment also are preferably not configured for breastfeeding of a baby.

The undergarment 20 preferably includes a front undergarment panel 22, back undergarment panel 24, and opposite sleeves 26. The panels 22,24 and sleeves 26 cooperatively define a neck opening 28 of the undergarment 20. Undergarment 20 also presents opposite inner and outer garment surfaces 30,32. As explained below, the sleeves 26 and undergarment panels 22,24 are connected to cooperatively form respective shoulders 34 of the undergarment 20, where the shoulder 34 presents a seamless shoulder area.

The front and back undergarment panels 22,24 each present a top margin 36, bottom margin 38, and upright side margins 40 (see FIGS. 1-3). The top margin 36 preferably includes an upper neck margin 42 and angled margins 44. The top margin 36 extends along a neck opening 46 of the undergarment 20, with the upper neck margin 42 defining a corresponding part of the neck opening 46.

The front undergarment panel 22 preferably includes a bust area 48 extending laterally below the upper neck margin 42 and intersected by a circumferential bustline 50 of the undergarment 20. As will be explained, a gathered or nching area 52 is centrally located in the bust area 48 along a lateral direction. Additionally, the ruching area 52 generally lies between opposed bust sections 54 and is configured to create separation in the bustline 50 between the bust sections 54.

As will be explained further, embodiments of the undergarment 20 preferably include sleeves 26 having a raglan sleeve configuration that does not typically align with shoulder seams of an outer garment. Each sleeve presents a top margin 56, side margins 58, and a cuff margin 60. The top margin 36 preferably includes a curved neck margin 62 and angled margins 64. The top margin 56 extends along the neck opening 46 of the undergarment 20, with the curved neck margin 42 defining part of the neck opening 46.

Turning to FIGS. 6-8, the undergarment panels 22,24 are preferably formed from a fabric sheet (not shown) using respective front and back panel patterns 66,68. In the usual manner, the panel patterns 66,68 are overlaid with and temporarily attached to the fabric sheet to serve as a template for creating the respective panels 22,24. The panel patterns 66,68 each preferably include a top edge 70, bottom edge 72, and side edges 74. The edges 70,72,74 correspond to respective ones of the top margin 36, bottom margin 38, and side margins 40 and provide a template for cutting the fabric edges to define those margins. Adjacent the locations where top edge 70 meets the side edges 74 at upper panel corners, front panel pattern 66 also includes lateral projections 75. The projections 75 are configured to form a correspondingly-shaped tab of fabric material in the front panel 22 for shaping the bust area 48. As depicted by width dimension W in FIG. 6, each of the depicted projections 75 extends about one inch (1″) laterally beyond respective upper panel corners of the back panel pattern 68. The additional lateral width provided by the tabs of the front panel 22 permits the front panel 22 to lay flat against the wearer, particularly along the bust area 48. The front panel pattern 66 also presents a slit opening 76 associated with the ruching area 52.

Similarly, the sleeves 26 are formed from a fabric sheet using a sleeve pattern 77 (see FIG. 8). As with the panel patterns 66,68, the sleeve pattern 77 is overlaid with and temporarily attached to the fabric sheet to serve as a template for creating the sleeves 26. The sleeve pattern 77 preferably includes a top edge 78, side edges 80, and cuff edge 82. The edges 78,80,82 correspond to respective ones of the top margin 58, side margins 60, and cuff margin 62 and provide a template for cutting the fabric edges to define those margins.

A rotary blade fabric cutter (not shown) is preferably used to cut the fabric for the undergarment 20, although other types of fabric cutting tools may be used. Preferably, the edges of the top margins 36 and bottom margins 38 associated with panels 22,24 are left unfinished, such that the edges are not formed or defined by a seam, fold, or hem, band, or similar feature. Similarly, the edges of the top margins 56 and the cuff margins 62 for each sleeve 26 are also left unfinished and not defined by a seam, fold, or hem.

With the top margins 36 of the panels 22,24 and the top margins 56 of the sleeves being unfinished, the neck of the undergarment is preferably devoid of a seam, hem, collar, or band that defines the neck opening. However, it is within the scope of at least some aspects of the present invention for the undergarment to have a seam, hem, collar, or band that defines the neck opening 28. Unfinished cuff margins 62 and bottom margins 38 are also preferably devoid of a seam, hem, or band, although the cuff margins 62 and/or bottom margins 38 may have one or more of such elements within the ambit of some aspects of the present invention.

The fabric material of the undergarment 20 is preferably selected to facilitate an undergarment construction that is form-fitting while also being noncompressive. At the same time, the undergarment fabric material is also preferably selected with frictional properties to facilitate efficient donning and doffing of the outer garment while enabling the outer garment to lay smoothly and comfortably on the wearer's body, such that it will glide across the wearer's body as well as the outer garment during movement of the wearer (e.g., without bunching or snagging). Furthermore, the fabric material is configured so as to minimize the visibility of the undergarment when worn under an outer garment.

It has been found that the use of a tricot fabric material is particularly effective for achieving these and other performance features of the undergarment. More preferably, the undergarment fabric includes a tricot 4-way, stretch-knit, breathable Lycra®-type fabric. The tricot fabric also preferably comprises a bamboo-based fabric fiber. Various properties of the tricot material, such as the material elasticity and fabric weave, are provided so that the undergarment is form-fitting, noncompressive, and comfortable to wear.

As mentioned above, the undergarment 20 presents the inner garment surface 30 for skin contact and the outer garment surface 32 for contact with an outer garment donned over the undergarment. The inner and outer garment surfaces 30,32 are preferably configured so that the outer garment surface 32 comprises a relatively low-friction surface compared to the inner garment surface 30. The tricot fabric is oriented such that the outer surface 32 presents an outer weave pattern that is more smooth or slick when compared to an inner weave pattern of the inner surface 30. In other words, the outer surface 32 has relatively less surface friction compared to the inner surface. The relatively low-friction outer surface 32 permits the outer garment to easily slide over the top of the undergarment 20. This important feature enables the outer garment to lay flat and prevents bunching and bulking during motion of the wearer.

Fabric material of the undergarment 20 preferably has a weave or “grain” with a primary weave direction extending along the face of the material. Fabric material preferably stretches along the primary weave direction to a greater degree than along other directions that are off-axis to the primary weave direction. Undergarment 20 is preferably constructed so that the primary weave direction of the panels 22,24 extends laterally (i.e., side-to-side). As a result, the panels 22,24 will stretch to a greater degree in a lateral direction along the panel width and to a lesser degree in a longitudinal direction along the panel length. For some aspects of the present invention, the primary weave direction may be alternatively oriented for at least one of the panels 22,24.

Undergarment 20 is also preferably constructed so that the primary weave direction of the sleeves 26 extends generally parallel to the long axis of the sleeve. With this orientation, the sleeves 26 will stretch to a greater degree in a longitudinal direction along the sleeve length (e.g., when the wearer bends their arm) and to a lesser degree in a circumferential direction about the sleeve circumference.

The undergarment 20 preferably includes seams that are provided to minimize the visibility of the undergarment when worn under an outer garment while also enabling the outer garment to lay comfortably on the wearer's body. The depicted undergarment 20 includes sleeve seams 84, side panel seams 86, and angled raglan seams 88.

Each sleeve 26 preferably has a sleeve seam 84 that attaches the side margins 58 to one another (see FIGS. 1-3). Upright side margins 40 of the front panel 22 are preferably attached to corresponding upright side margins 40 of the back panel 24 by side panel seams 86. As will be explained, the side panel seams 86 preferably include gather areas extending below armpits of the undergarment 20. Angled side margins 44 of the front and back panels 22,24 are preferably attached to the sleeves 26 by angled raglan seams 88.

Sleeve seams 84, side panel seams 86, and raglan seams 88 preferably comprise single-thread lingerie seams. It has been determined that the use of a single-thread seam is important for minimizing the visibility of undergarment seams when the undergarment donned under the outer garment.

Sleeve seams 84, side panel seams 86, and raglan seams 88 are preferably sewn using an elastic stretch thread. The use of an elastic stretch thread has been found to prevent seams from snapping or popping, particularly when the undergarment is being donned or doffed. The depicted seams 84,86,88 are preferably serged seams (aka lingerie seams or overlocking stitches) preferably formed by a serging machine (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeves 26 are connected to the undergarment panels 22,24 and are preferably configured as raglan sleeves. That is, the shoulders 34 have a raglan sleeve configuration. Specifically, angled side margins 64 of the sleeves 26 are connected along the angled side margin 44 of respective front and back panels 22,24 by corresponding raglan seams 88. The raglan seams 88 of each sleeve 26 preferably end at spaced apart locations along the neck opening 28 and intersect at a location under the armpit.

As used herein, a raglan sleeve refers to a sleeve that forms at least part of a garment shoulder and extends up to the neck opening for the garment. The depicted sleeve 26 preferably defines a corresponding part of the neck opening 28. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the undergarment may include a collar or other band that defines the neck opening. Embodiments of the undergarment preferably have a raglan sleeve configuration so that seams of the undergarment are precluded from aligning with shoulder seams of the outer garment.

Various forms of outer garments may include a sleeve attached to the rest of the garment with a shoulder seam that extends circumferentially along the sleeve. In other words, the shoulder seam of the outer garment extends over the top of the wearer's shoulder and below the wearer's armpit.

The depicted raglan seams are preferably precluded from overlapping and being coextensive with circumferential shoulder seams of an outer garment. The raglan seams are configured so that the undergarment is devoid of any seams that attach the top end of the sleeve to the rest of the undergarment and pass over the wearer's shoulder to extend about a circumference of the sleeve. Thus, the depicted sleeves 26 are attached and configured so that shoulders 34 of the undergarment 20 each have a shoulder area that is seamless. The seamless shoulder areas rest on top of the wearer's shoulders when the undergarment is donned.

Although the depicted sleeve shape and arrangement of raglan seams 88 is preferred for providing a raglan sleeve configuration, the raglan sleeve may be alternatively configured (e.g., to provide a smooth, form-fitting undergarment). For instance, raglan seams may be alternatively shaped and/or alternatively positioned relative to one another (e.g., where the raglan seams attaching a sleeve are spaced closer to each other or farther apart).

In various embodiments of the present invention, the noncompressive undergarment may be sleeveless, ¾-sleeve, or long-sleeved. For long-sleeved embodiments of the undergarment, the sleeves preferably have a bracelet-length configuration so that the sleeves cover the full length of the arm of the wearer, but do not show from underneath the outer garment.

Embodiments of the noncompressive undergarment preferably present an undergarment length dimension D1 (see FIG. 3) such that the undergarment has a waist-length configuration. The undergarment length dimension D1 is sized so that the bottom margin may skim the top of the wearer's pants and permit a belt to show without requiring the undergarment to be tucked into the wearer's pants. However, for at least some aspects of the present invention, the undergarment may be configured with a shorter or longer undergarment length.

Undergarment panels 22,24 and sleeves 26 cooperatively form a v-neck margin 90. The v-neck margin 90 defines the neck opening 28 and presents a lowermost end 92 of the neck opening 28 (see FIG. 1). The lowermost end 92 and bustline 50 define a neck depth dimension D2 (see FIG. 2), which is measured transversely relative to the bustline 50. It will be appreciated that the neck depth may be raised or lowered relative to the bustline 50 without departing from the scope of the present invention (e.g., to correspondingly decrease or increase bustline separation). As will be shown in subsequent embodiments, the configuration of the undergarment neckline may be varied in other ways.

The illustrated v-neck arrangement has been advantageously found to produce separation in the bustline between the bust sections 54. This separation is in contrast to the undesirable bustline compression (and lack of bustline separation) associated with conventional tank tops, t-shirts, and shapewear tops.

The front undergarment panel 22 preferably includes a gathered or pleated ruching area 94 with laterally extending folds 96 (see FIGS. 1-3). The ruching area 94 generally lies between opposed bust sections 54 and is configured to create separation in the bustline 50 between the bust sections 54. In particular, the ruching area 94 is located below the v-neck margin 92 of the undergarment 20 and is centrally located in the bust area 48 along a lateral direction.

Undergarment 20 preferably includes an elastic strip 98 attached to the inner garment surface 30 of the front undergarment panel 22. The elastic strip 98 is attached via upright seam 100 to form the ruching area 94, with folds 96 extending laterally on opposite sides of the seam 100.

Elastic strip 98 has an unstretched elastic length dimension D3 (see FIG. 4) that preferably ranges from about two inches (2″) to about four inches (4″) and, more preferably, is about three inches (3″). However, the elastic strip may be alternatively configured to produce folds of the ruching area. For at least some aspects of the present invention, the undergarment may include structure other than the elastic strip to form the ruching area.

In the depicted embodiment, ruching area 94 is preferably spaced below the neck opening 28. However, it will be understood that the vertical spacing of the ruching area 94 relative to the neck opening 28 may be larger or smaller depending on the neck depth associated with the neck opening 28.

As noted above, the undergarment panels 22,24 are attached to one another along side panel seams 86. In the depicted embodiment, each side panel seam 86 preferably forms a gather area 102 with laterally extending gather folds 104 in the front panel 22. Gather areas 102 are configured so that the fabric of the front panel 22 falls smoothly over the wearer's stomach. Preferably, the gather folds 104 for each gather area 102 are formed in the front panel 22 and secured by an elastic strip 106 and the side panel seams 86 (see FIG. 5). Each elastic strip 106 is secured along the inner surface 30 by the elastic thread of the respective seam 86 and permits stretching of the gather area 102 while pulling the gather in the seam. Preferably, elastic strip 106 extends along substantially the entire vertical length of the respective gather area 102 (see FIG. 5).

With gather folds 104 being provided in the front panel 22, the rear panel 24 is preferably smooth and free of folds along the gather area 102 (see FIG. 5). In other words, the depicted rear panel 24 is devoid of folds formed adjacent the gather folds 104.

Gather areas 102 are positioned directly under the wearer's armpit and define a gather length dimension D4 (see FIG. 2). Gather length dimension D4 preferably ranges from about two inches (2″) to about four inches (4″) and, more preferably, is about three inches (3″). Gather areas 102 are preferably vertically positioned so as to be at least partly overlapped with the ruching area 52 along a vertical direction. However, the gather areas 102 may be alternatively sized and/or positioned within the scope of the present invention.

Turning to FIGS. 9-13, alternative embodiments of the present invention are depicted. The remaining description will focus primarily on the differences of these alternative embodiments from the preferred embodiment described above.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative noncompressive undergarment 200 presents an alternative crisscross plunging neckline. The undergarment 200 includes an alternative front undergarment panel 202, a back undergarment panel 204, and opposite sleeves 206. Panels 202,204 and sleeves 206 cooperatively define a neck opening 208.

The front panel 202 preferably includes overlapping sections 210 shaped so that the neck opening 208 is defined by a v-neck margin 212. In particular, overlapping sections 210 cooperatively form a plunging crisscross neckline and are attached to each other below a bustline 214 (see FIG. 10). Sections 210 overlap each other along an overlapping area 216. The neckline of the undergarment 200 is configured to maintain separation along the bustline 214 so as to preserve the look of the outer garment when worn.

Preferably, undergarment 200 also includes a lower panel section 218 joined to the overlapping sections 210 along an empire waist seam 220 (see FIG. 10). The empire waist seam 220 is preferably located below the bustline 214.

Turning to FIG. 11, an alternative noncompressive undergarment 300 having a crew neck configuration. The undergarment 300 includes an alternative front undergarment panel 302, a back undergarment panel 304, and opposite sleeves 306. The front undergarment panel 302 preferably includes an alternative neck margin 310 that cooperates with the back panel 304 and sleeves 306 to form the crew neck shape.

Although not depicted, front panel 302 of the undergarment 300 may include a ruching area similar to the ruching area 52 of the first embodiment. A ruching area may be located centrally in a bust area of the front panel 302 to provide separation between the bust sections.

Furthermore, the undergarment 300 may be configured to have gather areas similar to gather areas 102 of the first embodiment. Such gather areas may be located along the side panel seams, where the gather area includes laterally extending gather folds in the front panel 302.

Turning to FIGS. 12 and 13, an alternative noncompressive undergarment 400 is provided in the form of a tank top shirt. Undergarment 400 includes an alternative front undergarment panel 402 and an alternative back undergarment panel 404, while being devoid of sleeves.

The front and back panels 402 preferably include an alternative neck margin 410 that cooperatively form an alternatively shaped neck opening. Front and back panels also preferably present opposite arm openings 412.

Front panel 402 of the undergarment 400 preferably includes a ruching area 414, which is similar to ruching area 52. Front panel 402 also preferably includes opposite gather areas 416, which are similar to gather areas 102. Along gather areas 416, the depicted front panel 402 further includes tabs 418 of fabric material to shape the bust area. The additional lateral width provided by the tabs 418 of the front panel 402 permits the front panel 402 to lay flat against the wearer, particularly along the bust area.

Additional advantages of the various embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure herein and the working examples below. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive unless otherwise indicated herein. For example, a feature described or depicted in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present invention encompasses a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the specific embodiments described herein.

As used herein, the phrase “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing or excluding components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain or exclude A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

The present description also uses numerical ranges to quantify certain parameters relating to various embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that when numerical ranges are provided, such ranges are to be construed as providing literal support for claim limitations that only recite the lower value of the range as well as claim limitations that only recite the upper value of the range. For example, a disclosed numerical range of about 10 to about 100 provides literal support for a claim reciting “greater than about 10” (with no upper bounds) and a claim reciting “less than about 100” (with no lower bounds).

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A noncompressive undergarment configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath a garment to restrict direct contact between the wearer and the garment, said undergarment comprising: front and back undergarment panels each presenting a top margin extending along a neck opening of the undergarment; andopposite undergarment sleeves each connected to the undergarment panels and at least partly forming respective shoulders of the undergarment,each of said sleeves being connected along the top margin of each panel along respective raglan seams that end at spaced apart locations along the neck opening so that the sleeve forms a raglan sleeve.

2. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said undergarment presenting opposite inner and outer garment surfaces,said panels and said sleeves including a fabric that forms the garment surfaces, with the fabric having an inner weave pattern associated with the inner garment surface and an outer weave pattern associated with the outer garment surface.

3. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 2, said panels and said sleeves including a tricot fabric comprising a breathable, 4-way stretch fabric.

4. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 3, said tricot fabric including a bamboo fabric material.

5. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 2, said inner and outer garment surfaces being configured so that the outer garment surface comprises a relatively low-friction surface when compared to the inner garment surface.

6. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said front undergarment panel including a pleated ruching area with laterally extending folds.

7. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 6, said top margin of the front undergarment panel including an upper neck margin that partly defines the neck opening, with the ruching area being located below the upper neck margin.

8. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 7, said front undergarment panel having a bust area extending laterally below the upper neck margin and intersected by a circumferential bustline of the undergarment,said ruching area being centrally located in the bust area along a lateral direction.

9. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 6, said undergarment presenting opposite inner and outer garment surfaces; andan elastic strip being attached to the inner garment surface of the front undergarment panel along an upright seam to form the ruching area, with folds on opposite sides of the upright seam.

10. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 9, said elastic strip having a length dimension that ranges from about two inches to about four inches.

11. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said undergarment panels being attached to one another along side panel seams, each of said side panel seams forming a gather area with folds.

12. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 11, said front undergarment panel including a pleated ruching area with laterally extending folds,said gather areas being positioned to vertically overlap the ruching area.

13. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said undergarment being devoid of any seams that attach one of the sleeves to the rest of the undergarment and extend about a circumference of said one of the sleeves.

14. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said raglan seams being sewn using a stretch thread,said raglan seams comprising a 1-thread lingerie seam formed by a serging machine.

15. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 1, said front undergarment panel having overlapping sections that at least partly define the neck opening and present an overlapped area below the neck opening.

16. A noncompressive undergarment configured to be donned by a wearer and worn underneath a garment to restrict direct contact between the wearer and the garment, said undergarment comprising: front and back undergarment panels each presenting a top margin extending along a neck opening of the undergarment,said undergarment presenting opposite inner and outer garment surfaces,said panels including a fabric that forms the garment surfaces, with the fabric having an inner weave pattern associated with the inner garment surface and an outer weave pattern associated with the outer garment surface.

17. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 16, opposite undergarment sleeves each connected to the undergarment panels to cooperatively form respective shoulders of the undergarment.

18. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 17, said undergarment being devoid of any seams that attach one of the sleeves to the rest of the undergarment and extend about a circumference of said one of the undergarment sleeves.

19. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 16, said panels and said sleeves including a tricot fabric comprising a breathable, 4-way stretch fabric.

20. The noncompressive undergarment as claimed in claim 16, said inner and outer garment surfaces being configured so that the outer garment surface comprises a relatively low-friction surface when compared to the inner garment surface.