Patent Application
20190274365
The present invention generally relates to the field of garments, and in particular, relates to undergarments, for example, camisoles.
Problems exist with current garments, and in particular, undergarments that are currently on the market. Such problems may include that the garments typically do not fit a wearer's torso properly. One reason is that the garments are made with standard dimensions (usually A-frame or box-cut) or slim fitting dimensions (narrower box-cut). The garments generally “ride up” above the belt line when tucked into a lower garment—and in particular, when an intended wearer of the garment moves (e.g., standing up from a chair, getting in and out of cars, moving arms, sitting down, etc.). In undergarments, particularly, the issue of riding up of the undergarment above a belt line is noticeable because the standard dimensions are loose below the belt line and are not at sufficient length, for instance.
Further, undergarments often shrink to a smaller size after a few wears and washes, unless they are purchased at a large initial size. Undergarments may be made of a lower cost material without a requirement for breathability as well. As a result, such undergarments generally cause the wearer's overgarment, such as a blouse, a golf-shirt, or a button-down dress shirt, to concurrently, pull up, ride up, and/or bunch up on the sides and back making the wearer's silhouette look bigger than it actually is. This may potentially cause the wearer to be self-conscious about the overgarment's current condition.
Undergarments generally do not fit according to display advertisements, packaging, and/or as displayed on models. Undergarments particularly have a tendency to become untucked from inside of the overgarment due to the above-referenced box-cut design. Traditional undergarments create undesirable bunching, riding up, and often come untucked quickly; especially when worn with tight-fitting overgarments, including blouses, button down dress shirts, and sweaters. Also, in addition to the unattractive bunching appearance, as the traditional undergarments become untucked, they can cause discomfort and insecurity to the psyche of the wearer. The bulges also occur in the undergarment, if it is worn by itself.
Traditional types of undergarments do not provide the wearer with an improved appearance under clothing and can be uncomfortable. In addition to the unsightly bulges and effects noted above, the traditional undergarments do not help keep the overgarment and undergarment tucked in. This “ride up” effect results in the shirt riding up above the belt line of the wearer even while the overgarment is tucked in. Such traditional undergarments cover these areas, but are normally made of relatively thick material and designed short in length, which creates bulging and bunching above the beltline. Also, the thick fabric, box-cut design, and standard length usually make the wearer look heavier when wearing slim-fit and regular-fit overgarments, rather than providing the slim-fit appearance intended in the first place.
Accordingly, a need exists for an undergarment that does not bunch up, bulge on the sides, ride up above the beltline, and become easily untucked. A need also exists for such an undergarment manufactured in a tailored design and of appropriate length, while incorporating both natural and/or synthetic blends of stretch fabric. While existing processes to address these issues include the use of garters, suspenders, clips, and other mechanisms, the addition of these mechanisms provide additionally slightly seams visible outside the overgarment and so the need referenced-above has been insufficient to determine a proper solution.
An undergarment or garment in one embodiment includes straps and a tubular torso portion comprising a resiliently deformable material. A portion of the undergarment or garment is at least partially tapered and includes an additional length over a standard length so as to cover a portion of the intended wearer's buttocks; and in one embodiment, covering the widest girth of the intended wearer's buttocks and applying a compression at the widest girth to resist shifting position when tucked in to a lower garment of the intended wearer.
In an example, the garment, such as an undergarment has a predetermined size for an intended wearer of a corresponding predetermined physical size. The tubular torso portion, also referred to herein as a tubular portion, has an opening at a bottom and a predetermined additional length or second length that is greater than a standard length or first length. The tubular portion includes a resiliently deformable material of elastic fibers with an elastic recovery of at least 93%. Further, the resiliently deformable material has a first modulus of elasticity adapted to resist bunching of the tubular portion. The resiliently deformable material also has a predetermined modulus range adapted to cause a lower portion of the tubular portion to apply a horizontal compression towards a center of the tubular portion. This is when the tubular portion is stretched horizontally outwards, such as when worn by the intended wearer; at which time, the additional length provided for the lower portion, along with the horizontal compression, resists vertical shifting of the lower portion when the garment is tucked into a lower garment.
In another example, the undergarment according to another embodiment includes a tubular portion predetermined to be at a torso of the intended wearer and including additional material to allow the undergarment to exceed a waist of the intended wearer and reach below the buttocks of the intended wearer. As such, in an example, such an undergarment is designed by considering standard measurements relative to the predetermined size for an intended wear or group of intended wearer with accommodated variations. The undergarment is adapted to include at least an additional portion over the standard length for the predetermined size. The additional portion may include a resiliently deformable material, as does the rest of the undergarment. Alternatively, the portions of the undergarment may be of different materials with a cumulative resiliently deformable value of 93%. Additional portions may also apply to a circumference of the undergarment.
The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the invention. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.
Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise specified.
One embodiment of the present invention is an undergarment. In general, the garment or undergarment of the present disclosure includes a tubular portion or tubular torso portion of different adaptions or configurations. In one configuration, no sleeves are present and straps may be provided at arm openings of the tubular torso portion. There may be one or more members coupled to the arm openings, such as straps, tubes, or elastics comprising material to form an upper covering on shoulders of the intended wearers. The tubes may extend from the shoulder to sleeves of the garment or undergarment.
The garment or undergarment, interchangeably used throughout this disclosure, may have a crew neck design, a v-neck design, a tank top design with straps, and a turtle neck design, etc. In addition, graphics, logos, words, etc., may be displayed on an internal and/or an external surface of the undergarment. Manufacturer's information relating to cleaning may be displayed on an inside part, along with the logo on the same part or on an exterior part of the garment. A tagless screenprint, tagless heat transfer label, and/or woven care label may be used to provide the graphics, logos, words, or manufacturer's information the neckline or some other internal area of the garment. The manufacturer's information may also include undergarment size, care instructions, construction, etc. The tagless labels are provided to eliminate tag chafe in the garment.
The garment or undergarment may be also comprised of a single or different fabric(s). In an example of the use of different fabrics, a heat transfer material may be used in the garment at one or more predetermined hot spots, such as under the arms. In a further example, a portion of the garment is at least partially tapered. The taper may be gradual, more pronounced near the junction, or only tapering for a portion of the garment. A person of ordinary skill would understand that a more pronounced taper is a higher taper angle (e.g., a second angle) than the gradual taper (e.g., a first angle, being of lesser degrees with respect to a reference—e.g., a vertical plane—than the second angle, for instance). As such, a taper to the tubular portion represents one or more tapers—e.g., a first taper of first taper angle and a second pronounced taper (higher taper angle relative to the first taper angle).
In an example, the tubular portion 114 includes a resiliently deformable material of elastic fibers with an elastic recovery of at least 93%. The resiliently deformable material has a first modulus of elasticity adapted to resist bunching of the tubular portion 114. Further, the resiliently deformable material has a predetermined modulus range adapted to cause the lower portion 108 of the tubular portion to apply a horizontal compression towards a center of the tubular portion. This is by virtue of the smaller diameter B and elasticity for the material at the lower portion. In an example, these features change the standard measurements of a standard size using predetermined lengths and ratios different from the standard measurements. However, the predetermined lengths A (sweep), B (waist width relaxed), H (waist width relaxed), and E (body length), and associated ratios adapt the standard size to the predetermined size of the present disclosure. The lower portion, as presented, is adapted for the horizontal compression when stretched horizontally outwards and is adapted to, therefore, resist vertical shifting of the lower portion when the garment is tucked into a lower garment. In areas which are adjacent to the buttocks of the intended wearer, for example, the present features assist in preventing the undergarment from riding up.
In one approach, the predetermined size is achieved for the garment or undergarment by an adaptation of the standard size in certain lengths by at least 2 inches, as illustrated by the body length E in
In an example for the predetermined size to include certain lengths and ratios, a first ratio may be adapted from the standard size for a width at the bottom of the undergarment (e.g., measure A of
In further examples for the predetermined size distinct from the standard size to achieve the features of the present disclosure, ratios are also determined for other lengths than the first, the second, and the third lengths measured for the garment. These ratios may allow the predetermined size to exceed the standard size, adapting the garment for staying tucked in, for example. These additional lengths may include a fourth length of the garment from a first bottom on a seam of the arm openings to a second bottom on a bottom edge of the garment; a fifth length measured at a width of the bottom edge; a sixth length measured at a width of a bottom edge of the garment; and a seventh length measured at a bottom edge of a seam between arm openings of the garment. Still further, the ratios are determined from the lengths—for e.g., the fourth and the fifth lengths provide a ratio that is required to be is equal to or less than 1.5, while the sixth and the seventh lengths provides a ratio that is required to be in a range from about 0.92-1.03. In addition, while the lengths are explained as different lengths, they may incorporate overlapping scopes with other lengths previously discussed and are taken for ease of the discussion.
The garment has its tubular portion at least partly tapered in an example, when the partial taper is from between a line at or below a first length across arm openings of the garment to a sweep width of the garment. In addition, the partial taper includes two tapers—a gradual taper at an upper portion and a more pronounced taper at a lower portion. The garment includes a length from a bottom edge to a top seam of a front of the garment that is of the additional length over or greater than the standard length to provide the lower portion of the garment with a capability to resist shifting out of position for the lower portion when tucked into the lower garment. As previously described straps or other members 102A, 102B are provided, attached adjacent to or included in arm openings of the garment. Further, the straps are adjustable using one or more mechanisms 104 to mechanically lengthen or shorten the straps.
The material from which the undergarment is fabricated may include a resiliently deformable material (e.g., elastic and/or stretchy with ability to return about to prestretched form), and may include a manmade fabric. In one approach, the undergarment may comprise viscous modal and Lycra™. Lycra™ exhibits an elastic recovery of at least 93%. In another approach, the undergarment may comprise micro modal and Lycra™. In another approach, the undergarment may comprise Spandex™ and/or Lycra™. Note that portions of the undergarment may be of the resiliently deformable material, while other portions may be formed of another material or several other materials. The resiliently deformable material that meets the characteristics described herein inherently has a modulus that is low enough that the shirt will not bunch up while being worn, due to too much elasticity in the mid-section, while having sufficient modulus so that the portion of the shirt surrounding the buttocks remains snug and resists riding up while the mid-section remains form-fitting but not tightly restrictive. The undergarment may comprise a breathable material.
The undergarment has specific application in wearing under blouses, dress shirts, fitted shirts, body-conscious sweaters, layering under other tight fitting shirts, and by itself as a camisole. In another approach, at least a portion of the undergarment has sufficient resilient deformability to compress, horizontally, at least about 2% of a circumference of a body of the intended wearer when the undergarment is worn. As such, the compression is towards a center of the tubular portion; e.g., towards the waist or tummy area of the wearer—that may be compressed to approximate a slimmer silhouette. Such compression is when the lower portion is stretched horizontally outwards and assists in resisting vertical shifting of the lower portion when the garment is tucked into a lower garment.
In some approaches, a ratio of a width at the bottom of the undergarment to a width at the bottom seam of the arm openings, as depicted in
In alternative embodiments, a ratio of a length from the lowest point of the arm openings to the bottom (“chest width at armhole”, measured from the distance between the arm openings as depicted in
Although the wearer may consider it a given that the wearer's undergarment fits properly, many people do not realize the importance of a properly fitting undergarment. On one hand, if the wearer's undergarment is too tight, the wearer will be uncomfortable shortly after putting the undergarment on. On the other hand, if the wearer's undergarment is too large, the wearer may become irritated with the excess material around the sleeves, bottom and sides of the undergarment, along with the problems associated with bunching and untucking. The wearer's undergarment should fit loosely enough so that the wearer has room to breathe and move, but not enough room so that material bunches or works against the wearer's objectives of a clean, slim look.
TABLE 1, below, illustrates exemplary dimensional ranges (in inches) of various shirts in different sizes (XS, M, L, XL). These dimensional ranges are exemplary only, and in no way are intended to limit the invention except in accordance with the claims. The ratios understood from these dimensional ranges provide information to a person of skill in the art to recreate predetermined sizes referenced from any standard size, to achieve the present stay-tucked abilities for a camisole or other garment. The person of ordinary skill may also vary the ratios, based on reading the present disclosure, to account for tolerances of measured cuts of material comprising the undergarment. Such variations are also depicted in the example values of TABLE 1, below.
TABLE 2, below, illustrates exemplary ratios and their corresponding fractions between certain dimensions or measures applicable from the garment. For example, for measure A is the “sweep width,” H is the chest width between armholes and E is the body length at the center-front (CF). The first ratio (A:H) is the bottom width (“sweep width”, A) compared to the width at the arm openings (“chest width at armhole”, H, measured from the distance between the arm openings as depicted in
The dimensions of the garment may be related to typical industry sizing norms by the variations described to achieved the predetermined sizing for additional length, tapers, and compression required to keep the garment snug and tucked in to a lower garment. In a further example, TABLE 3 provides an exemplary sizing chart that relates the size category of the garment to the dimension range of the person wearing the garment. The dimensions in TABLE 3 are in inches, measured around the stated body part (i.e. bust, waist, hip). These measures will be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill as being a ratio or values over a standard measure in each category (X-small, small, etc.) of the listed values.
As illustrated in the above embodiments, a women's camisole undergarment garment is provided such that additional lengths exist, multiple tapers exist, and a compression is provided in a lower portion so that, when stretched for an intended wearer, offers form fitting via its resiliently deformable fabric. The form fitting feature replicates a tailored cut design and because the undergarment length is longer than standard sizing, along with the other features, allows the undergarment to stay tucked in. This approach resolves the above-mentioned untucking, bunching, and riding up effects of typical undergarments while allowing overgarments to comfortably slide over the undergarment. In some embodiments, the undergarment may be worn under blouses, dress shirts, button down shirts, sweaters, and layering under other shirts or garments.
The additional lengths allow the lower region of the undergarment to be long enough and to have sufficient tapers and compression adaption to cover the buttocks of the intended wearer and stay snug once stretched. The stretch fabric and tailored cut design conforms to the mid and lower torso, allowing the undergarment to stay tucked in giving the form fitting, smooth, streamlined look they want when they want to look their best. The form fitting tailored design extends down almost past the buttocks. This provides a slim and tailored appearance over the front, side, and rear angles of the body. The unique design is critical for allowing the undergarment to stay tucked in even during repetitive movements and long periods of wear. Additionally, the undergarment does not force the user to readjust and tuck in the undergarment, saving time, appearances, and energy. The overall design provides the user with a smooth, form fitting, tucked in appearance when worn under clothing or by itself, without causing the user to suffer discomfort or insecurity.
The disclosed ranges of each dimension in the garment sizes shown in TABLE 1 may be converted to a range of fractional relationships that define the shape of the garment. In one embodiment, the height of the garment from bottom seam of the arm openings to the bottom of the garment (“body length from CF”) divided by the chest width between the lowest point of the arm-openings (“chest width at armholes”) may range from about 1.2 to 1.5. In yet another embodiment, the width at the bottom of the garment divided by the width between the arm-openings may range from about 0.92-1.03.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the embodiments herein should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
This application is related to and claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application 62/651,458, filed Apr. 2, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Application 62/650,474, filed Mar. 30, 2018; and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,664, filed on Jun. 24, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/790,188, filed on Jul. 2, 2015, both of which claim priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,742, filed on Dec. 18, 2008, now patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,168, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/043,044, filed on Apr. 7, 2008, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62651458 | Apr 2018 | US | |
| 62650474 | Mar 2018 | US | |
| 61043044 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15191664 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 16369936 | US | |
| Parent | 14790188 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Child | 15191664 | US | |
| Parent | 12338742 | Dec 2008 | US |
| Child | 14790188 | US |
