With Particular Reinforcing Or Elastic Insert Patents (Class 2/401)
  • Patent number: 11877605
    Abstract: A knit lower-body garment can be formed, using a flat knitting process and from knit blanks. In example aspects, the knit lower-body garment is formed from a one-piece knit textile blank that includes partial-length knit courses in select locations to provide three-dimensional shaping to the resulting lower-body garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Montgomery, Hemantha Manjula Wijesena
  • Patent number: 11700907
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strap system having a medial strap, a lateral strap, and a heel strap. The medial strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the lateral side. The lateral strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the medial side. The heel strap has a proximal portion fixed at the heel region and a distal portion selectively attachable to the upper by a heel strap fastener. The strap fastener is operable to attach one of the distal end of the medial strap and the distal end of the lateral strap to the heel strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Rita M. Bartels, Shivam Bhan, Holly Harris, Eric Joseph Marshall
  • Patent number: 11439545
    Abstract: A disposable pant that for absorbing liquid and human waste. The disposable pants include an upper section, designed to wrap around a child's waist, a front panel, an opposing back panel, and two side edges located between the front and back panel. Two leg portions are disposed on either side of a crotch area, with fasteners placed on each side edge that are designed to secure the front panel to the back panel. A diaper is in the crotch area, having a pocket designed to absorb solid waste and channels designed to absorb liquid waste. At an end of each leg portion there is an elastic cuff designed to secure each leg portion to an ankle. There is an inner lining inside the pants that is composed of an absorbent material. A child can use the disposable pants as a diaper without ruining a pair of non-disposable pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Denise Ramos
  • Patent number: 10993479
    Abstract: Boxer shorts (1) including a pants portion (2) made of a textile fabric, which pants portion (2) includes: A front part (3) that includes a central panel (4) intended to cover the genital organs of a wearer, and two front side parts (5a) (5b), each intended to cover at least part of the front surface of one leg of the wearer; A rear part (6) that includes a rear panel (7) intended to cover at least the majority of the buttocks of the wearer, and two rear side parts (8a) (8b), each of which is intended to cover at least part of the rear surface of one leg of the wearer; and A middle part (9) intended to cover at least one upper portion of the inner surfaces forming the crotch of the wearer; which boxer shorts (1) are noteworthy in that the rear panel (7) and the middle part (9) display at least one degree of expandability that is substantially greater than the corresponding degree of expandability of the front part (3) and of the two rear side parts (8a) (8b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Hanes Operations Europe SAS
    Inventor: Ragheb Blibech
  • Patent number: 10792194
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation an elastic laminate. Non-stretched elastic can be laid at peaks over a nonwoven layer contained in valleys and atop peaks. Stretched elastic can be laid over tented nonwoven to create nonwoven tunnels when a second nonwoven is laid atop the first nonwoven and elastic, and the tunnels resist un-stretching of stretched elastic strands by frictional or obstruction forces. A laminated material comprising a first and second layer of material bonded at spaced apart bond sites is disclosed, with a plurality of elastic strands disposed in a non-linear manner between said first and second layer of material, so that said strands meander in a cross-machine direction and traverse a machine direction line, restraining movement of the strands by frictional forces between the strands and the non-woven layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Gottfried Jason Hohm, Wei Wei, Debra Heus Bowe, Jeff Middlesworth
  • Patent number: 10463102
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Dyer, Peter Lam, Austin Orand, Andrea M. Vinet, Peter P. Williams, II, Samantha Young
  • Patent number: 10362814
    Abstract: The present invention provides pants, such as pants that are worn as work uniform pants, which are configured to provide significant improvements in a wearer's comfort, performance, and mobility over a predefined range of motions. Embodiments of the pants comprise one or more stretch panels that are configured to provide for stretching of the pant at an identified micro site in order to provide a wearer with enhanced mobility. Additionally, the manner in which the various portions of the pant are connected together may be adjusted in order to provide a wearer with enhanced mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: VF IMAGEWEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Shannon North, David Griffin, Ben Rose, Ismail Akram, Paul Gibson
  • Patent number: 10342289
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a shoe upper that is formed as a substantially planar article with varied functional zones integrated therein. The varied functional zones may be strategically positioned zones having varied degrees of stretch. Additionally, it is contemplated that the functional zones may provide dimensional variation (e.g., thickness) and/or permeability (e.g., breathability) characteristics. The substantially planar upper may then be formed into a three-dimensional upper having a volume that may be occupied by a wearer's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Bell
  • Patent number: 10294593
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an undergarment that includes a pant body having an anterior knit region having a first knitting pattern, a posterior knit region having the first knitting pattern, a first lateral knit region having a second knitting pattern different from the first knitting pattern, extending between the anterior knit region and the posterior knit region, and a second lateral knit region having the second knitting pattern, extending between the anterior knit region and the posterior knit region, and a gusset panel having the second knitting pattern, extending between an entirety of the anterior knit region and the posterior knit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Carmelo Padin
  • Patent number: 10104920
    Abstract: The pants or skirt with integral exercise bands is adapted for use in exercise. The pants or skirt with integral exercise bands comprises a garment and a pelvic girdle. The pelvic girdle is attaches to the garment. The pants or skirt with integral exercise bands is a pelvic girdle adapted for use in a garment selected from the group consisting of a pair of pants or a skirt. The pelvic girdle is an elastic fabric that is formed in the shape of a tube. The pelvic girdle is positioned within the garment such that when the garment is worn normally, the normal locomotive motions of the wearer are resisted by the pelvic girdle therein enhancing the exercise benefit generally provided by the normal locomotive motion. Normal locomotive motions include, but are not limited to, walking forward, walking backward, stepping sideways, bending over, and stooping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Barbara Robinson
  • Patent number: 10094054
    Abstract: A knit product includes a compression region and is formed by a circular knitting machine knitting first and second stitches having different stitch sizes in the same course. The second stitch has a smaller stitch size. The second stitch is selectively provided on a stitch-by-stitch basis. The knitting needles have a density of 14 to 24 per inch in a circumferential direction. A face yarn of a knitting yarn has a cotton count larger than 10. A back yarn of the knitting yarn is a covering yarn having a core yarn of polyurethane of 70 denier or less or a man-made fiber of 140 denier or less subjected to texturing. The size difference between the first and second stitches is 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. The elongation difference between a first-stitch region of the first stitch and a second-stitch region of the second stitch is 20% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: OKAMOTO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Fukui
  • Patent number: 9895593
    Abstract: A cycling suit (1) includes a seat pad (2) in the crotch area, and a plurality of fabric panels, which are associated along structural seams, and the seat pad is attached by means of a fabric panel (7) disposed to connect the rear part of said seat pad (2) to the suit (1), and said panel is fixed to the suit along lower back structural seams (8, 9) of the same. A corresponding method for manufacturing the cycling suit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ASSOS OF SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Roger Maier
  • Patent number: 9833023
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing tension in garments for improving privacy control by the wearer. The apparatus incorporates materials having elastomeric properties which may be placed in proximity to a wearer's crotch during operation. The tension is directed to preventing, concealing and/or obfuscating the curvature or shape of private features of the wearer, such as a woman's labia, from visibility through the garment. The apparatus may include one or more components providing tension for privacy control. The apparatus may include angled seams to obfuscate a woman's private features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Amy Styczynski Sabin
  • Patent number: 9700079
    Abstract: A boxer-style pant and a method of making a boxer-style pant having side seams, a contracted crotch region, and hanging legs. A web is provided. The web is cut along transversely opposed edges of the web to define leg openings. The leg openings may be formed by cutting slits along the transversely opposed edges of the web. The web is contracted in a selected area between the leg openings. Front and back regions are then joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Franke, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Heather Schenck Mortell, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen
  • Patent number: 9655388
    Abstract: Articles of clothing that incorporate fabrics or chemicals having wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficients of friction either overall or in specific areas of the apparel that will minimize the development of irritation, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. The invention also includes methods for producing this wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficient of friction apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Joyce Michel
  • Patent number: 9622920
    Abstract: An article including a front region, a back region, and a chassis. The chassis may include an absorbent core having a front end edge and a back end edge. The front region and the back region may extend laterally outward beyond side edges of the chassis. The front region and the back region may abut to form a first seam and a second seam. At least one of the front region and the back region may include an elastic member. A first outer nonwoven layer of the front region and a second outer nonwoven layer of the back region may be folded to form an upper edge in the front and back regions such that a distal end of each of the first and second outer nonwoven layer may be disposed between the upper edge and the front and back end edges of the absorbent core, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Eric Patton Weinberger, Daniel Clark Buchner
  • Patent number: 9596893
    Abstract: To provide an exercise garment with crotch part that is capable of sufficiently improving performance of various types of exercises accompanied by three-dimensional movements such as rotation of the trunk and rotation/outward rotation/inward rotation of both legs. In an exercise garment with crotch part, when it is being worn, tightening forces of first tightening portions act on the muscle groups existing around the greater trochanter, so that the muscle groups are supported to broaden the extent of mobility of the pelvic band. On the other hand, on the inside of the closed-loop first tightening portions, the space between a first line and a second line gradually becomes wider toward the greater trochanter position, whereby a side hole is formed. Due to such formation of the side hole, the greater trochanter of the wearer is prevented from being pressed directly by the first tightening portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: WACOAL CORP.
    Inventors: Chizuru Fukuyo, Nozomu Seike, Hiroshi Kouno
  • Patent number: 9408418
    Abstract: These comfortable boxer shorts are formed from a knitted main tube (1) comprising a front part (5) and a back part, the lower portions of which end in a first and second bottom line (10, 11, 16, 11?, 10; 13, 12) consisting of two front incisions and one rear incision. The first bottom line (10) (10, 11, 16, 11?, 10?) is composed of an edge (16) of a front flap (14) and of two bottom line side ends (10, 11; 11?, 10?) that rise higher than the edge (16) of the flap (14). Said edge (16) of the front flap (14) is sown to the middle of the second bottom line (13, 12), at the rear of the boxer shorts, and two separate crotch parts (15, 15?) (15) are sown between the ends (10, 11; 11?, 10?) of the first bottom line and the ends of the second bottom line (13, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: DBApparel Operations
    Inventor: Ragheb Blibech
  • Patent number: 9320306
    Abstract: Pants for shaping the female buttocks and hips including: a first rear part to at least partially cover the buttocks, the first part including: at least one first element to cover at least a lower terminal portion and lateral portion of the buttocks, at least one second element to cover at least a central portion of the buttocks, and at least one third element to cover at least an upper terminal portion of the buttocks. The first, second and third element include a knitted fabric, and the second element includes two parts, each adapted to cover only one of the two central parts of the buttocks. The two parts secured together along respective lateral edges provided at the intergluteal cleft of the buttocks by a central seam adapted to be positioned at the cleft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FREDDY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Freddi, Margherita Freddi
  • Patent number: 9205965
    Abstract: A clothing ensemble for use in water includes a swimsuit and an undergarment that is independent from the swimsuit and that is worn at least partially beneath the swimsuit. The undergarment includes at least a pair of leg panels and a center panel that extends between the pair of leg panels. The leg panels are coupled to the center panel only by a forward seam and a rear seam that each extend from an inner portion of a wearer's first thigh to an inner portion of the wearer's second thigh. The center panel includes at least one pouch formed therein that is configured to dispense powder towards the wearer. The undergarment is fabricated from a non-rubberized material woven that induces tension to the wearer and that enables the undergarment to conform to the wearer. The pair of leg panels each include a leg band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Susan Michelle Vanlandingham
  • Publication number: 20150074874
    Abstract: An undergarment is configured to be wearable by a wearer and includes a waist portion positionable around a portion of the torso of the wearer. The undergarment also includes a front panel extending from the waist portion. The front panel defines a pouch portion positionable so as to extend outwardly and upwardly from an area between the legs of the wearer. The front panel further has an opening defining spaced apart lateral ends and an apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends. A flap extends from the pouch portion and defines first and second lateral edges extending away from the lateral ends of the opening to a free end of the flap. The flap is releasably attachable with a portion of the front panel adjacent the opening so as to be selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Drawbridge Worldwide LLC
    Inventor: Harrison Ferber
  • Patent number: 8935813
    Abstract: An article of clothing (10) comprising: a first portion (14) shaped to cover at least part of a wearer's groin or buttock region during use and extending into a gusset region of the article, and a second portion (16) shaped to extend around a wearer's body so as to hold the article against the wearer during use. The first portion (14) comprises a carbon textile layer and a backing layer, the filter layer comprising a knitted material comprising activated carbon. The second material (16) comprises one or more textile panels adjacent said first portion (14) and having elasticity greater than the elasticity of the first portion such that the second portion conforms to the shape of the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Paul O'Leary
  • Patent number: 8839728
    Abstract: An undergarment includes at least one piece of fabric that forms the undergarment. The undergarment has leg openings. The fabric includes edges that surround the leg openings, whereby at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings has a plurality of fibers and at least some of the fibers have free ends terminating at the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. A bead of a cured polymer is disposed over the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. The cured polymer bead forms a finished edge that is stretchable for adjusting to movement of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cupid Foundations, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Angelino, David Welsch, Ronald Boser
  • Publication number: 20140259305
    Abstract: An undergarment is provided that does not show through an outer garment. The undergarment includes a flexible waistband. A front panel is coupled to a front portion of the waistband, the front panel having a right corner, an opposing left corner and a center corner disposed between the right corner and left corner, the right corner, left corner and center corner being distally spaced from the waistband. A flexible first strap is coupled between the right corner and the center corner. A flexible second strap is coupled between the right corner and the center corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Amy Martin
  • Patent number: 8784351
    Abstract: A compression garment has panels of elasticized fabric joined by seams of flat lock stitching to define, when worn, specific areas of compression, areas of compression being the perineum, caesarian wound area and rectus abdominus muscles or the perineum and the pelvic joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Gilheany & O'Donovan Holdings Pty
    Inventors: Carmella Dumpson, Sinead O'Donovan
  • Patent number: 8732865
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide pants which look like ordinary pants, have a buttocks supporting effect and assure excellent wearing comfort. [Solution] Pants, in which a lining fabric covering the region ranging from the buttock portion of the back body through the sidelines to partial portions of the front body is attached inside the garment fabric of the front and back bodies, with fasteners interposed between the lining fabric and the garment fabric, the lining fabric and the garment fabric being sewn to each other at the waist belt, the crotch and the side seam allowances for integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Emiko Ishikawa, Michiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8701217
    Abstract: A men's undergarment (1) comprises an upper portion (2) looped to encircle the waist of a wearer; a front portion supported by the upper portion (2) and extending downwards from it; a rear area (5), extending downwards from the upper portion (2) and connected to the front portion, with which it forms a first and a second opening (6, 7) for the legs of the wearer; the rear area comprising a portion (5a, 5b, 5c) made of elastic fabric and comprising a system (9) for confining the elastic stretching of the rear portion (5a, 5b, 5c); the elastic stretching confining system comprising at least one sector (14) in the rear area (5) where stretching is reduced compared with the stretching of the remaining part of the rear area (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sidney S.R.L.
    Inventor: Stefano Cassoli
  • Patent number: 8561213
    Abstract: A protective undergarment (10), shown in the form of shorts, includes integrally formed protective panels (22, 26, 30) that exhibit slash-proof properties. The protective areas (22, 26, 30) are made from a flexible Kevlar® knit or the like, and extend to cover the groin, crotch, substantial areas of the buttocks and the inner thigh regions of both legs. The protective panels (22, 26, 30) are externally snitched to a low thermal burden material (18, 20), such as a polyester mesh, that provides elasticity and completes the structure of the shorts (10). The Kevlar® knit is flexible and preferably lies directly against the skin of a user to provide blast wave and ballistic fragment deflection while permitting mobility in a lightweight arrangement. Varying thickness of the Kevlar® knit can be used in the protective areas (22, 26, 30) selectively to enhance protection against blast wave and fragment penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BCB International Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Rhys Howell, Matthew Searle, Christopher Mark Lewis, William Mark Hocking
  • Patent number: 8533863
    Abstract: A protective undergarment (10), shown in the form of shorts, includes integrally formed protective panels (22, 26, 30) that exhibit slash-proof properties. The protective areas (22, 26, 30) are made from a flexible Kevlar® knit or the like, and extend to cover the groin, crotch, substantial areas of the buttocks and the inner thigh regions of both legs. The protective panels (22, 26, 30) are externally snitched to a low thermal burden material (18, 20), such as a polyester mesh, that provides elasticity and completes the structure of the shorts (10). The Kevlar® knit is flexible and preferably lies directly against the skin of a user to provide blast wave and ballistic fragment deflection while permitting mobility in a lightweight arrangement. Varying thickness of the Kevlar® knit can be used in the protective areas (22, 26, 30) selectively to enhance protection against blast wave and fragment penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: BCB International Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Rhys Howell, Matthew Searle, Christopher Mark Lewis, William Mark Hocking
  • Patent number: 8499364
    Abstract: A ladies' visual privacy garment presents a smooth appearance over the vaginal area. The garment comprises a panty having a crotch portion provided with a layer of thin, flexible semi-rigid material that presents a smooth outer surface and overlies the vaginal area of the wearer, and a second layer of absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Camelflage LLC
    Inventor: Shannon M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8486035
    Abstract: A medical undergarment system effective for supporting an ostomy system consists of a first diagonal catheter channel, a second diagonal catheter channel, a first vertical catheter channel, and a second vertical catheter channel. The system consists of tubing, a base undergarment, and a fluid bag. The medical undergarment system provides a comfortable yet stable ostomy system that can easily be slipped on and off by a user. The system enables convenient and easy removal of bodily fluid when using a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Hector F. Arce, Brian O. Mohika
  • Patent number: 8458819
    Abstract: An undergarment with powder dispenser and method of use. A powder dispenser is attached to an undergarment torso rear. Powder is placed within the powder dispenser and diffuses through a powder-permeable powder dispenser front wall onto the skin of a user wearing the undergarment with powder dispenser. The powder dispenser extends downwards from an undergarment torso waist substantially 80% of the way to an undergarment crotch. A powder dispenser rear wall top edge elastic keeps powder within the powder dispenser from escaping. Downwardly-sloping powder dispenser baffles extend alternatingly from powder dispenser rear wall side edges, creating a serpentine powder path to improve powder distribution. Method of use steps include inserting anti-chaffing powder through a powder dispenser mouth and into a powder dispenser reservoir, and then allowing it to diffuse through the powder dispenser front wall onto the wearer, thus helping avoid skin irritation in the buttock, crotch, and thigh areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Hoole
  • Patent number: 8460265
    Abstract: A washable female undergarment is designed for comfort and for alleviating leakage. The undergarment comprises an outer layer of a stretchable fabric, an inner layer of an absorbent fabric, and a main absorbent layer positioned between the inner and outer layers in the crotch area. The three layers are permanently secured together to form a reusable reliant undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Vida Langdon Calender
  • Publication number: 20130123735
    Abstract: A diaper includes front and rear waist members and a crotch member. The front and rear waist members are respectively formed with first narrowly-spaced elastic zones, widely-spaced elastic zones and second narrowly-spaced elastic zones adjacent one to another. Front and rear ends of the crotch member are bonded to respective sides of the front and rear waist members so that the crotch member's front and rear ends may positionally correspond to the second narrowly-spaced elastic zones. Cover sheets are attached to the side of the crotch member to cover the crotch member's front and rear ends respectively. A length dimension of the cover sheet in the longitudinal direction is set to be smaller than those of the front and rear waist members and a length dimension of the cover sheet in the transverse direction is substantially equal to those of the front and rear waist members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Kenichi Sasayama, Kunihiko Katsuragawa
  • Publication number: 20130123736
    Abstract: A diaper includes front and rear waist members and a crotch member. The front and rear waist members are respectively formed with first narrowly-spaced elastic zones, widely-spaced elastic zones and second narrowly-spaced elastic zones adjacent one to another. Front and rear ends of the crotch member are bonded to respective sides of the front and rear waist members so that the crotch member's front and rear ends may positionally correspond to the second narrowly-spaced elastic zones. Cover sheets are attached to the side of the crotch member to cover the crotch member's front and rear ends respectively. A length dimension of the cover sheet in the longitudinal direction is set to be smaller than those of the front and rear waist members and a length dimension of the cover sheet in the transverse direction is substantially equal to those of the front and rear waist members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Kenichi Sasayama, Kunihiko Katsuragawa
  • Publication number: 20120311771
    Abstract: A pant-type wearing article comprises a front panel, a rear panel and a central panel. The front panel cooperates with the rear panel to form a waist region. The central panel includes a front end portion separably joined to the outer side of the waist region and a rear end portion separably joined to the outer side of the waist region. Side edges of the front end portion opposed to each other in the transverse direction are formed with front side corner regions and side edges of the rear end portion opposed to each other in the transverse direction are formed with rear side corner regions. At least one of the paired front side corner regions and the paired rear side corner regions is not joined to the outer surface of the waist region to form a gripper region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Kenichi Sasayama, Kunihiko Katsuragawa
  • Publication number: 20120311770
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has a skin-contactable sheet moveable relative to a chassis. The chassis includes an inner sheet, an outer sheet and a liquid-absorbent panel interposed between these inner and outer sheets. The absorbent panel lies at least in the crotch region and extends into the front and rear waist regions in the longitudinal direction. In the rear waist region, a skin-contactable sheet adapted to come in contact with the wearer's skin is attached to the inner surface of the inner sheet. The skin-contactable sheet has front and rear ends extending in the transverse direction and lateral portions extending in the longitudinal direction and only the lateral portions are bonded to the inner sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Haruki Toda, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8292868
    Abstract: A pant has a garment shell. The garment shell includes a front region, a back region, a contracted crotch region, side seams connecting the front region to the back region, two leg openings, and hanging legs. At least a portion of each of the front region, the back region, the contracted crotch region and the hanging legs include portions of a single flat web. The hanging legs include no elasticization around a full periphery of the leg openings and are adapted to hang loosely about a wearer's thigh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather Schenck Mortell, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Robert Lee Popp
  • Publication number: 20120253256
    Abstract: A brief style elastic undergarment designed for the particular needs of a portly person having an enlarged abdomen. The undergarment is constructed of elastic spandex material and has a high cut back and a low cut front so the waistband traverses the torso passing across the small of the back thence under the abdomen. The undergarment further comprising an auxiliary elastic waistband specifically intended to hold abdominal hernias in, and an attached supporting undershirt. Thus the elastic in the briefs and the auxiliary band press small hernias back into the abdominal cavity. For use by males, there is a hole through which the penis and scrotum project to avoid being compressed and allowing a snug, pressure fit across the front. The garment may be used as sleepwear and athletic wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Daryl Dahlquist
  • Patent number: 8215251
    Abstract: An undergarment includes at least one piece of fabric that forms the undergarment. The undergarment has leg openings. The fabric includes edges that surround the leg openings, whereby at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings has a plurality of fibers and at least some of the fibers have free ends terminating at the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. A bead of a cured polymer is disposed over the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. The cured polymer bead forms a finished edge that is stretchable for adjusting to movement of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cupid Foundations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Welsch, Anthony Angelino, Ronald Boser
  • Publication number: 20120167279
    Abstract: Next-to-skin garments for men include an internal stretch panel. An opening in the stretch panel receives a wearer's external genitalia. A three-dimensional pouch is defined between the stretch panel and a front portion of the body of the garment. Embodiments provide garments such as undershorts, boarding shorts, and athletic shorts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: 0912139 B.C. LTD.
    Inventor: Dustin Bigney
  • Patent number: 8212102
    Abstract: A diaper having front and rear waist regions and a waist-hole, the waist hole having a peripheral edge that is elastically stretchable in a circumferential direction and includes covering zones and elastic zones in the front and rear waist regions, which peripheral edge is adapted to be stretchable beyond lengths of the covering zones in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 8176573
    Abstract: A boxer-style pant and methods of making a boxer-style pant having side seams and hanging legs. At least a portion of each of the hanging legs may be non-planar in an uncontracted state prior to formation of the side seams. The methods each involve providing at least one web. In some methods, a crotch panel is bonded to first and second regions of the web between two leg openings, and a distance between bonded regions of upper and lower edges of the crotch panel, measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pant, is shorter along a central region of the crotch panel and longer in distal regions of the crotch panel, such that the bonded region results in a bow-tie-shaped crotch panel. In some methods, a crotch region of the web is folded and stabilized along a longitudinal centerline of the web. In some methods, leg extensions are attached to at least a portion of each of two leg openings. Front and back regions may be joined together to form the side seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Heather Schenck Mortell, James Bassey Pinkney, Lars Nilsen Nordang, James Richard Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 8117674
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a garment, including providing a fabric layer having sonically weldable material, the fabric layer having an inner surface and at least one opening region, the opening region having a periphery and an outer free edge, placing an elastic edge band having sonically weldable material around the entire periphery of the opening region, the edge band having first and second free edges and an inner surface, securing the first free edge of the edge band to the outer free edge of the opening region with a subsonic or ultrasonic edge weld to form a finished seamless edge along the opening region, and activating an adhesive along more than half of the inner surface of the edge band to secure the edge band and second free edge to the inner surface of the fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Warren, Rick Kelley
  • Patent number: 8083880
    Abstract: A wearing article 4(A to D) includes a main body 5(A to D) having a front part P, a back part Q and a crotch part R coupling the front part P and the back part Q. The main body 5(A to D) includes a pair of waist edges T opposed to each other and a pair of leg edges S opposed to each other. A shirring 15 is so formed in a substantially widthwise middle portion of the crotch part R of the main body 5(A to D) as to shorten a space between the front part P and the back part Q. A ratio of the length L1 of the crotch part R along the forward and backward direction X to a length L2 between the pair of waist edges T is 1:15 to 1:2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Kurata
  • Publication number: 20110296591
    Abstract: Provided is a belly-covering underwear. The belly-covering underwear may include a front cover part, a binding part, and an upper elastic ring. The front cover part covers a belly of a human body. The binding part is coupled to the front cover part at both sides thereof to adhere the front cover part to the belly. The upper elastic ring may be formed of elastic material and is provided on a center of an upper portion of the front cover part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: CODIKA CORP.
    Inventor: Soo Ik PARK
  • Patent number: 8058343
    Abstract: Novel aqueous polyurethane dispersions and adhesive films formed therefrom are provided. The aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in solvent-free systems of a prepolymer comprising at least one polyether or polyester polyol, a mixture of MDI isomers, and a diol. The adhesive films from such dispersions can be heat-activated for bonding, lamination, and adhesion of textile fabrics, including stretch fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Invista North America S.àr.l.
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Carmen A Covelli, Douglas K Farmer
  • Publication number: 20110251576
    Abstract: A wearing article (1) of the invention has edge sections (leg edge sections and waist edge section) configured including sheets. On the sheets in the edge sections, elastic members (6, 7, 8) are disposed in their stretched state along the edge sections. Draw-processed sections (P1, P2) are formed by performing draw processing, in the stretching direction of the elastic members (6, 7, 8), on the disposition sections of the sheets where the elastic members (6, 7, 8) have been disposed. Furthermore, a draw-processed section (P3) is formed by performing draw processing, in the stretching direction of an elastic member (5), on the disposition section of a band-shaped sheet (15), which configures three-dimensional gathers (18), where the elastic member (5) has been disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Ando, Yasuhiro Umeki, Toshiaki Ichimata
  • Publication number: 20110179555
    Abstract: A casual exercise or medical compression garment is provided. The garment is a combination of outer pants and a compression undergarment that is attached to the outer pants around the waistband. The compression undergarment extends from the wearer's waist downwardly to a point below the wearer's knee, and is manufactured from a comfortable, stretchable material that provides support to the wearer's midriff, hip and buttocks. The outer pants may also be made from a stretchable material, and in use, may hang freely and loosely below a wearer's waist in contrast to the tight-fitting compression undergarment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: HOLD YOUR HAUNCHES, INC.
    Inventors: Erin Roberts BICKLEY, Virginia Murray GREER
  • Publication number: 20110094017
    Abstract: A pretty, stylish and comfortable waterproof panty that has a unique design technique of rolled over welded seams. The rolled over welded seam will inhibit the leaking of bodily fluids at the leg openings caused by stitching and wicking. The panty has an outer shell and an inner panty layer. The outer shell a continuous cut formed of a soft blend laminated fabric. It is liquid proof, breathable, hypo-allergenic, stain resistant, and elastic. It is cut to form a waist opening and two leg openings. If desired stretchable lace or elastic side portions can be provided. The inner panty lining is a breathable soft blend fabric and includes a front portion, back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion is double layered for added dryness. The inner panty layer is cut to the full design of the panty having a waist opening and two leg openings. This over all design provides the user peace of mind and security with a stylish, lightweight, comfortable, waterproof panty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Valerie Strange, Rochelle Woodeshick, June Krolikowski, Pearl Briggs