This disclosure relates to undergarments, for example, women's shapewear undergarments or underwear.
Shapewear undergarments exist in a number of forms, such as bodysuits, waist cinchers, and shaping panties. Each style provides a different combination of fit, comfort, support, and shaping. During normal movement or athletic activity, discomfort can result from body heat and/or perspiration that can build up between the wearer's skin and the garment.
In general, this document describes undergarments, for example, women's shapewear undergarments or underwear.
In a first aspect, an undergarment includes a pant body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and having an anterior knit region having a first knitting pattern, a first outer edge and second outer edge, and a first inner edge and second inner edge, and configured to stretch across a portion of a wearer's pelvic area, a posterior knit region having the first knitting pattern, a third outer edge and a fourth outer edge, and a third inner edge and a fourth inner edge, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's gluteal area, a first lateral knit region having a second knitting pattern different from the first knitting pattern, extending between the first outer edge of the anterior knit region and the third outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's left hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's left upper thigh, and a second lateral knit region having the second knitting pattern, extending between the outer edge of the anterior knit region and the outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's right hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's right upper thigh, and a gusset panel having the second knitting pattern, extending between an entirety of the inner edge of the anterior knit region and the inner edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to stretch about an inner portion of the wearer's left upper thigh, a portion of the wearer's groin, and an inner portion of the wearer's right upper thigh.
Various embodiments can include some, all, or none of the following features. The anterior knit region, the first lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the second lateral knit region can be a circularly knit tubular body. The gusset panel can be stitched to the anterior knit region and to the posterior knit region. The second knitting pattern can be a knit mesh pattern. The regions having the second knitting pattern can weigh less than 8.5 ounces per square yard. The regions having the second knitting pattern can be elastic 2×2 float knit structures having a ground yarn covered with an elastomer, float plated with a nylon thread. The second knitting pattern can include a collection of groups of three first openings arranged in a line, the groups can be spaced apart by a plurality of second openings that are smaller than the first openings, and the regions having the second knitting pattern can have about 300 of the groups per square inch when the knit mesh is relaxed. The undergarment can include a tubular waistband attached to the anterior knit region, the first lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the second lateral knit region at the first end of the pant body. The undergarment can include at least one of a first tubular leg band attached to the anterior knit region, the first lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the gusset panel at the second end of the pant body opposite the first end, and a second tubular leg band attached to the anterior knit region, the second lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the gusset panel at the second end of the pant body opposite the first end. The undergarment can include a run guard knit region having a positive float pattern with an alternating 1×1 knit structure connecting at least one of the inner edge of the anterior knit region and the inner edge of the posterior knit region to a lengthwise centrally located edge portion of the gusset panel.
In a second aspect, a method of making an undergarment can include circularly knitting a tubular blank to form a body of an undergarment, the body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and having an anterior knit region having a first knitting pattern, having an outer edge and an inner edge, and configured to stretch across a portion of a wearer's pelvic area, a posterior knit region having the first knitting pattern, having an outer edge and an inner edge, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's gluteal area, a first lateral knit region having a second knitting pattern different from the first knitting pattern, extending between the outer edge of the anterior knit region and the outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's left hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's left upper thigh, and a second lateral knit region having the second knitting pattern, extending between the outer edge of the anterior knit region and the outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to stretch about a portion of the wearer's right hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's right upper thigh, cutting a first lateral seam through a centrally located portion of the second end of the anterior knit region, cutting a second lateral seam through a centrally located portion of second end of the posterior region, and stitching a gusset panel, having the second knitting pattern, between an entirety of the first seam and the second seam, and configured to stretch about an inner portion of the wearer's left upper thigh, a portion of the wearer's groin, and an inner portion of the wearer's right upper thigh.
Various implementations of the method can include some, all, or none of the following features. The method can also include knitting the second knitting pattern in a knit mesh pattern. The regions having the second knitting pattern can have a weight of less than 8.5 ounces per square yard. The regions having the second knitting pattern can be elastic 2×2 float knit structures comprising a ground yarn covered with an elastomer that is float plated with a nylon thread. The second knitting pattern can include a collection of groups of three first openings arranged in a line, wherein the groups are spaced apart by a plurality of second openings that are smaller than the first openings, and the regions having the second knitting pattern comprise about three-hundred of the groups per square inch when the knit mesh is relaxed. The method can also include circularly knitting a tubular blank to form a tubular waistband of the undergarment, and stitching the tubular waistband to the anterior knit region, the first lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the second lateral knit region at the first end of the pant body. The method can also include knitting a first leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of the first lateral panel proximal the second end, and knitting a second leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of the second lateral panel proximal the second end. The method can include knitting a first gusset leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of a first longitudinal end of the gusset panel, knitting a second gusset leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of a second longitudinal end of the gusset panel opposite the first longitudinal end of the gusset panel, stitching the first gusset leg band knit region to the anterior knit region and to the posterior knit region proximal the second end, and stitching the second gusset leg band knit region to the anterior knit region and to the posterior knit region proximal the second end. The method can also include circularly knitting a run guard knit region having a positive float pattern with an alternating 1×1 knit structure into a medial region of the anterior knit region and a medial region of the posterior knit region, and stitching the a lengthwise centrally located edge portion of the gusset panel to the run guard knit region, wherein at least one of the first lateral seam and the second lateral seam extend from the centrally located portion of the second end to the run guard knit region.
The systems and techniques described here may provide one or more of the following advantages. First, a system can provide a garment with additional flexibility and breathability in target areas of the garment to increase comfort for a wearer of the garment.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
This disclosure describes shapewear garments, for example, undergarments to shape, support, and contour the upper thigh, pelvic, and gluteal regions (e.g., thigh slimmer, lower torso garment). In general, the garments include a knit mesh in certain portions of the shapewear garment, and the knit mesh has elastic and ventilation properties that differ from those of other regions of the garment.
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The pant body 110 is a generally tubular fabric structure. For example, the anterior knit region 120, the lateral knit region 140a, the posterior knit region 130, and the lateral knit region 140b can be circularly knit as a unitary, tubular body initially formed without seams (e.g., seamless). The leg bands 180a and 180b both include a leg band knit region 182 and a leg band knit region 184 proximal the leg ends 170a, 170b. The leg band knit regions 182 and 184 are circularly knit along with the anterior knit region 120, the posterior knit region 130, the lateral knit region 140a, and the lateral knit region 140b. The leg bands 180a and 180b of the leg band knit regions 182 and 184 can be seamlessly joined to the respective anterior knit region 120, posterior knit region 130, and/or lateral knit regions 140a and 140b. Although
The inner edges 124a and 124b are formed by making a cut in the anterior knit region 120, starting at a leg end 170b of the tubular structure, and extending to the run guard region 126. The inner edges 134a and 134b are formed by making a cut in the posterior knit region 130, starting the leg end 170b of the tubular structure, and extending to the run guard region 136.
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The anterior knit region 120, the posterior knit region 130, the waistband 150, the leg band knit regions 182 and 184, and the run guard regions 126 and 136 of the example undergarment 100 are circularly knit as a unitary tubular body. In some implementations, one or more of the regions are knit separately from the remainder and stitched to neighboring regions. The anterior knit region 120, the posterior knit region 130, the waistband 150, and the leg band knit regions 164a, 164b, 182, and 184 are knit with a first knitting pattern, and the lateral knit region 140a, the lateral knit region 140b, and the gusset panel 160 (e.g., apart from the leg band regions 164a and 164b are knit with a second knitting pattern that is different from the first knitting pattern. In some embodiments, the first knitting pattern can be a plain knit pattern, for example, a single or double jersey knit structure. The second knitting pattern will be discussed further with respect to the description of
In some implementations, the example stitch pattern 601 is a knit mesh pattern of threads that, when knit together, can provide a textile having a weight of less than about 8.5 ounces per square yard (e.g., approximately 0.1859 g/sq. inch). For example, the knit mesh of the example stitch pattern 601 can provide a fabric having a weight of between 6.5 ounces per square yard and 8.5 ounces per square yard. In some implementations, the stitch pattern 601 can be used to create a fabric that exhibits about 1.5× to about 2× more stretchability and/or at least about 30% more breathability (e.g., air flow) than plain jersey fabric. In some instances where the second knitting pattern includes the example stitch pattern 601, these stretch properties and breathability properties can add comfort, support, and breathability to the wearer of the garment 100. For example, the knit mesh of the stitch pattern 601 can stretch up to 80% greater than its original, unstretched length.
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At 710 a tubular blank is circularly knit to form a body of an undergarment. The body has a first end and a second end opposite the first. For example, the example garment body 110 can be circularly knit, and has a waist end 170a and a leg end 170b.
The body includes an anterior knit region having a first knitting pattern, an outer edge, and an inner edge, and is configured to extend or stretch across a portion of a wearer's pelvic area. For example, the example anterior knit region 120 can have a knit pattern that is different from that of the example lateral panels 140a, 140b, and has the outer edges 122a and 122b.
The body also includes a posterior knit region having the first knitting pattern, an outer edge, an inner edge, and is configured to extend or stretch about a portion of the wearer's gluteal area. For example, the example posterior knit region 130 can have a knit pattern that is different from that of the example lateral panels 140a, 140b, and has the outer edges 132a and 132b.
The body also includes a first lateral knit region having a second knitting pattern different from the first knitting pattern, extending between the outer edge of the anterior knit region and the outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to extend or stretch about a portion of the wearer's left hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's left upper thigh. For example, the lateral panel 140a extends between the outer edge 122a and the outer edge 132a.
The body also includes a second lateral knit region having the second knitting pattern, extending between the outer edge of the anterior knit region and the outer edge of the posterior knit region, and configured to extend or stretch about a portion of the wearer's right hip and a lateral portion of the wearer's right upper thigh. For example, the lateral panel 140b extends between the outer edge 122b and the outer edge 132b.
At 720, a first lateral seam is cut through a centrally located portion of the second end of the anterior knit region. For example, the example anterior knit region 120 is cut, starting at the leg end 170b, from a midpoint between the outer edges 122a and 122b, to the run guard 126. The two sides of this cut form the inner edges 124a and 124b.
At 730, a second lateral seam is cut through a centrally located portion of second end of the posterior region. For example, the example posterior knit region 130 is cut, starting at the leg end 170b, from a midpoint between the outer edges 132a and 132b, to the run guard 136. The two sides of this cut form the inner edges 134a and 134b.
At 740, a gusset panel having the second knitting pattern is stitched between an entirety of the first seam and the second seam, and is configured to extend or stretch about an inner portion of the wearer's left upper thigh, a portion of the wearer's groin, and an inner portion of the wearer's right upper thigh. For example, the example gusset panel 160 is stitched along the inner seams 124a, 124b, 134a, and 134b, to extend across the cut that was made to separate the anterior knit region 120 from the posterior knit region 130.
In some implementations, the example process 700 can also include knitting the second knitting pattern in a knit mesh pattern. In some implementations, the regions having the second knitting pattern can have a weight of less than 8.5 ounces per square yard. For example, the lateral knit regions 140a, 140b, and the gusset panel 160 can be knit with the example stitch pattern 601 shown in
In some implementations, the regions having the second knitting pattern can include an elastic 2×2 float knit structure that includes a ground yarn covered with an elastomer, and is float plated with a nylon thread. In some implementations, the second knitting pattern can include a collection of groups of three first openings arranged in a line, visible when stretched, wherein the groups are spaced apart by a plurality of second openings that are smaller than the first openings, and the regions having the second knitting pattern include about three hundred of the groups per square inch when the knit mesh is relaxed. For example, the example stitch pattern 601 includes the group 620 of the three openings 630a-630c arranged in a line, which is spaced apart from other groups by smaller openings such as the openings 640a-640c.
In some implementations, the example process 700 can also include circularly knitting a tubular blank to form a tubular waistband of the undergarment, and stitching the tubular waistband to the anterior knit region, the first lateral knit region, the posterior knit region, and the second lateral knit region at the first end of the pant body. For example, the example waistband 150 can be circularly knit and then stitched to the example pant body 110 at the waist end 170a.
In some implementations, the example process 700 can also include knitting a first gusset leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of a first longitudinal end of the gusset panel, knitting a second gusset leg band knit region having the first knitting pattern along a portion of a second longitudinal end of the gusset panel opposite the first longitudinal end of the gusset panel, stitching the first gusset leg band knit region to the anterior knit region and to the posterior knit region proximal the second end, and stitching the second gusset leg band knit region to the anterior knit region and to the posterior knit region proximal the second end. For example, the example gusset panel 160 includes the leg band regions 164a and 164b at the lengthwise opposite ends of the gusset panel 160. The leg band regions are knit with a second knitting pattern that is different from the first knitting pattern, and the leg band regions 164a and 164b are stitched to the anterior knit region 120 and to the posterior knit region 130 near the leg end 170b.
In some implementations, the example process 700 can include circularly knitting a run guard knit region having a positive float pattern with an alternating 1×1 knit structure into a medial region of the anterior knit region and a medial region of the posterior knit region, and stitching the a lengthwise centrally located edge portion of the gusset panel to the run guard knit region, wherein at least one of the first lateral seam and the second lateral seam extend from the centrally located portion of the second end to the run guard knit region. For example, the run guard knit region 126 can be circularly knit into the anterior knit region 120, and the run guard knit region 136 can be circularly knit into the posterior knit region 130. The inner seams 124a and 124b are cut from the middle of the leg end 170b to the run guard 126, and the inner seams 134a and 134b are cut from the middle of the leg end 170b to the run guard 136.
Although a few implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the descriptions above generally discuss undergarments, but the concepts described herein can also be applied to other (e.g., visible) garments as well. For example, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/473,906, filed Mar. 20, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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