SWIMWEAR WITH COMFORT LINER AND BODY SUPPORT FEATURES

Abstract

A swimsuit includes a swimsuit body and a binding assembly. The swimsuit body includes multiple panels that are sewn together along multiple seams. The panels are made from a first fabric material and together define a body opening. The binding assembly includes a binding material and an elastic member. The binding material may also be made from the first fabric material and is sewn to the swimsuit body along a perimeter of the body opening. The elastic member is secured with the binding material along a length of the binding assembly. The swimsuit body may be formed of one or more outer panels and one or inner panels formed of the same material as the outer panel(s). The first fabric material may include material derived from plastic fibers (e.g., from recycled plastic bottles).

Description

BACKGROUND

Swimwear, such as swimsuits and bathing suits, are generally designed to provide a lightweight and water-friendly covering that can be worn in place of an undergarment while participating in water-based activities. Women's bathing suits, in particular, may include one or two-piece designs that cover the breasts, and provide support during movement and other activities. Swimwear is generally designed using a shared cut and/or seam design (a single bathing suit geometry) that may be used across all size ranges (e.g., sizes 0 to 30) with greater amounts of fabric with increasing size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a swimsuit top of an illustrative swimsuit;

FIG. 1B is a front isometric view of an illustrative binder assembly of the swimsuit top of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a rear view of the binder of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D is a rear isometric view of the swimsuit top of FIG. 1A as being worn;

FIG. 1E is another rear view of the swimsuit top of FIG. 1A showing a tie region of the swimsuit top;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a plurality of swimwear panels;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a swimsuit top of another illustrative swimsuit;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the swimsuit top of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a swimsuit top of another illustrative swimsuit;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the swimsuit top of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5A is a front view of an illustrative one-piece swimsuit worn in a first orientation;

FIG. 5B is another front view of the one-piece swimsuit of FIG. 5A near a leg opening of the swimsuit;

FIG. 5C is a rear view of the one-piece swimsuit in a second orientation; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method of making a swimsuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain illustrative embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-IE, a swimsuit top of a swimsuit is shown. The swimsuit top may be part of a two-piece swimsuit, such as a bikini, that also includes a swimsuit bottom. The swimsuit top may be configured to cover an upper body region of a woman's body and the swimsuit bottom may be configured to cover a lower body region of a woman's body.

The swimsuit top includes a swimsuit body made from a plurality of panels (see FIG. 2) that are sewn together along multiple seams. In an embodiment, the plurality of panels may include at least three outer swimsuit panels and at least one inner swimsuit panel. In some embodiments, the outer swimsuit panels are made from the same material as the inner swimsuit panels. In some embodiments, the outer swimsuit panels and the inner swimsuit panel form a double layer of the same thickness material. In at least one embodiment, both the outer swimsuit panels and the inner swimsuit panels are made from a first fabric material. Unlike traditional swimwear products, which are generally made from materials, such as nylon or polyester/elastane-blend materials (including spandex, which is a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabric), the first fabric material includes a recycled plastic fiber, optionally derived from recycled plastic bottles. For example, the first fabric material may include at least 73% recycled tricot (e.g., approximately 70%, 74%, 78%, or any amount between and including the foregoing values) and 27% high clo spandex (e.g., approximately 30%, 26%, 22%, or any amount between and including the foregoing values), such as Repreve® fabric or another fabric material that includes or is made from a plastic fiber. In contrast to conventional understanding regarding the use of recycled plastic fibers, which is considered to be generally too thick and stiff for use in bathing suits, the use of recycled plastic fiber can provide greater thickness and durability in comparison to conventional liner designs formed of other, non-plastic fiber materials. Moreover, the plastic component in fibers can reduce yield or permanent deformation (e.g., non-reversible plastic deformation, etc.) after stretching of various portions of the swimsuit body that generally increases overall user comfort.

Unlike conventional swimsuit designs, which are developed in different sizes using a grading process from a single representative model (typically performing a sizing at size 2 or smaller and using a shared cut and/or seam design), different sizes of the swimsuit top of FIGS. 1A-1E are independently sized based on fit testing of each size on differently sized persons. For example, a first size swimsuit top may be designed based on fit testing of a person of a first size, and a second size swimsuit top may be designed based on fit testing of a person of a second size that is different from the first size. Such sizing techniques enable the use of non-conventional materials, such as those derived from recycled plastic fiber, and can accommodate different stretch and support characteristics than conventional swimwear fabrics. Because the swimsuit tops described herein are configured to be more supportive than conventional swimsuit tops, sizing for each size swimsuit ensures that wears of the swimsuit tops are properly sized, which is often not the case when scaling from a size 2 or smaller is performed.

In at least one embodiment, the swimsuit top is double lined so the same material is used on both the front (e.g., outer) side and back (e.g., inner, rear, etc.) side of the swimsuit body. The at least three outer swimsuit panels define an outer surface of the swimsuit body. The inner swimsuit panel is sewn to opposing edges of at least one of the outer swimsuit panels to define an inner lining for the swimsuit body that defines an inner surface (e.g., a skin-facing surface) of the swimsuit body. By using the same material, it has been found that increased support and comfort is achieved as compared to traditional bathing suit tops that have a thin inner liner, particularly for women with heavier breasts. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, such an arrangement can also be used on other swimsuit designs, such as one-piece swimsuit designs, to thereby allow the wearer to reverse the orientation of the swimsuit (so that the swimsuit can be worn in an inside-out arrangement with different coloring, etc.).

The swimsuit body defines a pair of shoulder straps, an upper covering including two breast support regions, and a back strap region in an embodiment. The cut of the swimsuit panels—based on a multi-panel geometry and arrangement shown in FIG. 2—improves a wearer's comfort by reducing weight on the wearer's upper body or chest region and applying that weight to the shoulders of the wearer.

In at least one embodiment, the at least three outer swimsuit panels are sewn together along offset sew lines along seams that are spaced laterally outwardly from a center of a breast support region of the swimsuit body. In some embodiments, the offset sew lines curve away from one another so that a distance between the offset sew lines is greater proximate to a center portion of the offset sew lines than at the ends of the offset sew lines. The offset sew lines may be offset at offset angles of between 30-degrees and 60-degrees, such as about 45-degrees relative to facing directly forward, or any value between and including the foregoing range. In some embodiments, the center portion of the offset sew lines is substantially aligned with a reference line extending along a center of a respective one of the pair of shoulder straps. The swimsuit top may also include side stays to secure the breast support regions to the back strap region. The side stays may be made from a plastic or other material that is flexible, but provides some level of stiffness, and may extend along side seams of the swimsuit body. In an embodiment, a height of the side stays is between about 4.12 inches and about 5.37 inches, such as about 4.25 inches, about 4.75 inches, about 4.75 inches, about 5 inches, or any value between and including the foregoing range. A width of the side stays may be between about 0.12 inches and about 0.37 inches, such as about 0.25 inches, or any value between and including the foregoing range.

Referring to FIGS. 1B-IC, the swimsuit top includes a binding assembly that is attached to the swimsuit body along a perimeter of a body opening of the swimsuit body. The binding assembly includes a binding material and an elastic member that may be a single, elongated piece. In at least one embodiment, the binding material is made from the first fabric material used to form the swimsuit body and is sewn to the swimsuit body along an entire lower perimeter of the body opening. The elastic member is coupled to or encased by (secured with) the binding material along one or more portions of or an entire length of the binding. The elastic member may be stitched, embedded, or otherwise coupled to or encased in the binding material. For example, the elastic member may be sewn to or encased within a sheath of the binding material by a first stich pattern. In an embodiment, the bonding material may be folded over the elastic member and the binding material is stitched to itself, thereby encasing the elastic member inside the binding material. In some embodiments, the binding material may be is sewn to the swimsuit body (e.g., along a lower edge) by sewing the binding material to the body material along the same edge that the binding material was sewn to encase the clastic member (e.g., to the outside relative to the elastic member) separately from the elastic member by a second stitch pattern (e.g., a cross-stitch pattern, etc.). Using a separate binding assembly made from the same material as the swimsuit body can increase comfort for the wearer and improve support provided by the swimsuit top relative to sewing the elastic member directly to the swimsuit body. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, a binding assembly may be used in other regions of the swimsuit, such as along any body opening of the swimsuit (a neckline opening, a leg opening, etc.). It should be appreciated that a similar binding assembly construction could be used for clothing designs other than bathing suits, such as shirts, pants, and other garments of clothing.

Referring to FIGS. 1D-1E, a back tie region of the swimsuit top is shown that is used to secure the swimsuit top to a wearer's body. The back tie region includes a tie support and a swimsuit tie. Both the tie support and the swimsuit tie may be made from elongated bands (e.g., spaghetti straps made from covered rubber or another durable, semi-flexible cordage, etc.). In at least one embodiment, tie support includes a plurality of elongated bands that are sewn or otherwise coupled in between one of the inner swimsuit panels and one of the outer swimsuit panels at opposing ends of each of the plurality of elongated bands to form multiple loops for supporting the swimsuit tie therein. The swimsuit tie is threaded through the loops to secure back strap together. Such an arrangement can increase the strength of the back tie region an enables greater tension to be applied to the swimsuit top when worn. Moreover, such an arrangement has longer durability than conventional arrangements of loops.

It should be appreciated that the various body support and comfort features described herein can be applied to different swimsuit designs. In some embodiments (FIGS. 3A-3B), the swimsuit top includes a reinforced center portion between the breast support regions. In some embodiments, the swimsuit top includes a casing sewn or otherwise integrated into the breast support regions, which can prevent underwire from digging into the wearer. In some embodiments (FIGS. 4A-4B), the swimsuit top includes a double ruched elastic that defines the back straps and provides a semi-clastic support along at least one body opening.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method of making a swimsuit is shown, according to an embodiment. The method includes coupling multiple outer swimsuit panels made from a first fabric material together along offset sew lines that are spaced laterally outward from a center of a breast support region of a swimsuit body. In embodiment, the coupling the outer swimsuit panels includes sewing the outer swimsuit panels together to form an angled seam between the two panels.

The method may additionally include coupling an inner swimsuit panel made from a first fabric material to at least one of the multiple outer swimsuit panels along opposing edges of the at least one outer swimsuit panel. The method may also include sewing a plurality of elongated bads in at least one of the outer swimsuit panels and the inner swimsuit panel to form a plurality of loops. In some embodiments, the method further includes engaging a back tie with the plurality of loops. The method may further include sewing a binding assembly including a binding material made from the same first fabric material as the swimsuit panels, and an elastic member disposed therein, along a perimeter of a body opening defined by the swimsuit body. The method may include forming the binding assembly separately from the swimsuit body by embedding, encasing, or otherwise securing one or more portions of the elastic member to the binding material. While the operations of the method of FIG. 6 are described with reference to an individual swimsuit body, it should be appreciated that each of the steps may be utilized for alternative swimsuit designs and can be used independently from one another to form portions of a swimsuit body.

As utilized herein, the term “substantially” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

While the instant disclosure has been described above according to its preferred embodiments, it can be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the instant disclosure using the general principles disclosed herein. Further, the instant application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It is noted that any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A swimsuit, comprising: a swimsuit body including a plurality of panels, at least one of the plurality of panels derived from a recycled plastic fiber, the plurality of panels including: an outer swimsuit panel; andan inner swimsuit panel coupled to the outer swimsuit panel and extending across the at least one outer swimsuit panel to define a double layer of swimsuit material.

2. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the inner swimsuit panel is coupled to opposing edges of the outer swimsuit panel, the inner swimsuit panel made from a same fabric material as the outer swimsuit panel.

3. The swimsuit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of side stays, each side stay extending along a side seam of the swimsuit body.

4. The swimsuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels includes at least three outer swimsuit panels that are sewn together along offset sew lines that are spaced laterally outwardly from a center of a breast support region of the swimsuit body.

5. A swimsuit, comprising: a swimsuit body including a plurality of panels that are sewn together along a plurality of seams, the plurality of panels made from a first fabric material, the plurality of panels together defining a body opening; anda binding assembly, including: a binding material sewn to the swimsuit body along an entire perimeter of the body opening, the binding material made from the first fabric material; andan elastic member secured with the binding material along a length of the binding.

6. The swimsuit of claim 5, wherein the binding material is sewn to the swimsuit body separately from the elastic member using a cross-stitch sewing pattern.

7. The swimsuit of claim 5, wherein the plurality of panels includes at least three outer swimsuit panels made from the first fabric material, the at least three outer swimsuit panels sewn together along offset sew lines that are spaced laterally outwardly from a center of a breast support region of the swimsuit body.

8. The swimsuit of claim 5, wherein the plurality of panels includes an outer swimsuit panel and an inner swimsuit panel coupled to opposing edges of the outer swimsuit panel, the inner swimsuit panel made from a same fabric material as the outer swimsuit panel.

9. The swimsuit of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of elongated bands sewn in between the inner swimsuit panel and the outer swimsuit panel at opposing ends of each of the plurality of elongated bands to form a plurality of loops for supporting a swimsuit tie therein.

10. The swimsuit of claim 9, wherein the first fabric material is derived from a recycled plastic fiber.

11. A method of manufacturing a swimsuit, comprising: securing an elastic member with a binding material made from a first fabric material along a length of the binding to form a binding assembly; andsewing the binding assembly to a swimsuit body made from the first fabric material along a perimeter of a body opening defined by the swimsuit body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein sewing the binding material to the swimsuit body includes sewing the binding assembly using a cross-stitch pattern to the body opening.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising sewing at least one inner swimsuit panel to at least one outer swimsuit panel along opposing edges of the at least one outer swimsuit panel so that a seam between the at least one inner swimsuit panel and the at least one outer swimsuit panel defines the body opening.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising sewing a plurality of elongated bands in between at least one of the outer swimsuit panels and the at least one of the inner swimsuit panels to define a plurality of loops.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the elastic member extends along an entire length of the binding.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising sewing an inner panel to the swimsuit body formed of the first fabric material, the inner panel being formed of the first fabric material.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first fabric material is derived from a recycled plastic fiber.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising determining dimensions of each of a plurality of sizes of the binding assembly and swimsuit body by performing a sizing with a person of respective sizes.