Abstract: A garment portion made primarily from a material with low-stretch characteristics, having defined stretch zones with greater flexibility is provided herein. The stretch zones have slits through the garment portion. An interior layer having higher stretch characteristics than the garment body portion is affixed to the internal surface of the garment body portion in the area of the stretch zone. The result is a garment portion that is primarily constructed with a low-stretch material that has stretch zones allowing greater flexibility.

Abstract: A stockinette (200), suitable for covering an appendage (1440) of a patient, includes one or more folds (206). The fold (206) can be in a length of material (205) disposed between an open end (204) and a closed end (203). Alternatively, the fold (880) can be in an optional cuff (860) formed by a section of material (661) near the open end (603). Folds can be present both in the length of material (205) and in the cuff (860) as well. The cuff (860) can be disposed atop the fold (206) in the length of material (205). The stockinette (200) enables one person to apply the stockinette (200) to an appendage (1440) with one continuous motion that expands the folds.

Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel includes a base layer that is resiliently elastic and that includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an upper edge. The waistband also includes a mounting layer that is resiliently elastic and that includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is layered over and attached to the inner surface, the outer surface, and the upper edge of the base layer. The waistband also includes flocking that is mounted on the second surface of the mounting layer. The flocking is disposed on the waistband to face a wearer of the article of apparel.

Abstract: A composite sheet having an elastic layer and an inelastic layer and high breathability and a method for manufacturing such improved composite sheet. The composite sheet includes an elastic layer and an inelastic layer joined and laminated through a plurality of joints. The elastic layer is formed with first depressions overlapping the joints and extending in a transverse direction and first protrusions. Interior space if the first protrusions is filled with constituent fibers of the elastic layer. The inelastic layer is formed with second depressions overlapping the joints and extending in a longitudinal direction and second protrusions. Along the second depressions, the elastic layer and the inelastic layer come in contact with each other at the joints and, along the second protrusions, the inelastic layer is spaced from the elastic layer to define clearance gaps in these layers.

Abstract: An athletic wear 1 of the present invention is formed of first clothing fabric F1 having small elastic modulus and second clothing fabric F2 having larger elastic modulus than first clothing fabric F1. First belt part 10 is formed by second clothing fabric covering circumference of upper part of pelvis Bh in wear 1. First belt part 10 essentially continuously comprises belt front part 11, belt back part 13 and pair belt side parts 12 covering upper part of pelvis Bh. Upper edge line of belt part slopes as extends from center of belt back part to center of belt front part.

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.

Abstract: A body-shaping intimacy garment for a woman has an upper portion that supports or at least contacts undersides of the breasts while leaving the breasts exposed, a torso portion extending from the upper portion, a lower portion that encircles the waist, buttocks and hips while defining a crotch opening through the garment for access during intimate encounters, and leg portions that extend to below the knee. The torso portion, lower portion and leg portions each include respective portions of inner and outer layers of stretchable fabrics. The inner layer fabric is worn stretched about the torso, waist, buttocks, hips and legs, with tension in shoulder straps maintaining some inner layer stretch along the torso portion while worn.

Abstract: A stretchable undergarment comprises a one-piece body slimming unit made of front and rear panels cut and sewn along the edges to form a tubular body shaping garment construction which is stretchable in the longitudinal direction, and having a lightweight zippered opening along the front. The undergarment is made from a woven stretchable satin material containing a small amount of thin spandex-type elastic fibers forming a predominately one-way vertical stretch in a base textile fabric made from thin polymeric textile fibers such as nylon.

Abstract: An athletic wear 1 of the present invention is formed of first clothing fabric F1 having small elastic modulus and second clothing fabric F2 having larger elastic modulus than first clothing fabric F1. First belt part 10 is formed by second clothing fabric covering circumference of upper part of pelvis Bh in wear 1. First belt part 10 essentially continuously comprises belt front part 11, belt back part 13 and pair belt side parts 12 covering upper part of pelvis Bh. Upper edge line of belt part slopes as extends from center of belt back part to center of belt front part.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene device offers full protection from heavy menstrual flow by securely covering the inner thigh, buttocks and pelvic area against menstrual leakage. The hygiene device is in the nature of a pair of shorts having vertical elastic seams on each side to hold the device snug on the wearer's pelvic region and legs. Elastic elements on the bottom of each leg of the short secure against downward leakage. The short is made of a liquid impervious cloth having an absorbent cotton blend layer and an outer plastic layer. Additional absorbent padding is incorporated in the short to provide normal coverage in the vaginal region. An elastic waist element aides in supporting the device on the wearer. The cloth may be vapor permeable and the side vertical seams air permeable for cooling effects. A diaper may be readily fashioned of the device.

Abstract: A diaper with legs is a lower torso garment worn by a user to retain excreted waste matter. The diaper may have fasteners to close the waist and legs, or may be of the pull-on type. The diaper includes a flat sheet wrapped around the torso with legs extending from the sides of the sheet. A front waist arch and a rear waist arch are disposed at an upper portion of the edges of the sheet. The arches extend the height of the diaper in front and back. An elastic material is disposed at the waist arches, at the junction between the legs and the central portion of the diaper, and at the end of the legs. The elastic material disposed at the end of the legs and at the junction between the legs and the central portion provides double leak protection at the legs.

Abstract: Elastically deformable sheet (18) is bonded, under heat and pressure to a knitted fabric (16). Both the sheet and the knitted fabric (16) are elastically extendable. The sheet is then heat and pressure bonded to a pair of trousers (12) with the clothing of the trousers being extendable. The fibres of the knit (16) allow the clothing of the trousers to extend with the greater elasticity of the sheet (18) subsequently returning the fibres (16) and the clothing to the original shape.

Abstract: An undergarment or bodysuit which uses a simplex lining between a nylon like material outer layer and a cotton inner layer, the cotton inner layer and the simplex lining forming a laminate. Stabilized tricot may be included as part of the laminate. The use of the simplex layer instead of the foam layer results in a material which provides a similar smoothing effect as foam but which has a lower tendency to crease or ride up when the wearer bends down or bends over. Foam cushions are also provided at strategic places to reduce the pressure caused by flexible wires or bones used to provide additional support to keep the bones from digging into the rib cage and provide more comfort to the bodysuit undergarment.

Abstract: The invention provides protective garments that comprise a liquid impermeable garment body having an inner surface with first and second portions, an absorptive device associated with the first portion of the garment body, and fibers affixed to at least a part of the inner surface of the second portion of the garment body. The protective garment may further comprise a connector, and tubing. The tubing can be used for absorbing or draining fluids away from a person's body, or for transmitting fluids to a person's body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of man's trousers which is adapted for use by preferably sportsmen and by other active persons, comprising a waist portion (2) connected to back and front portions (3, 4), which merged into each other or are interconnected at a crotch (5). The front portion (4) includes a pocket (7) sewn to its inner side and having an upper, inward directed, free edge portion (8), the vertical position of which can be adjusted relatively the waist portion (2), preferably by means of an adjustment member (9) extending from the waist portion (2), preferably with the aid of adjustment means (9) extending from the waist portion (2), for the purpose of adaptation to the location of the genital organs of the user and/or to the type of sport which the wearer is practicing.

Abstract: An elastic material includes a plurality of zones. Each of the zones has a particular modulus of elasticity associated with it and the distribution of the zones throughout the elastic material causes the material to have a variation of modulus of elasticity along a particular direction in the material. The elastic material includes a weft, which includes a relatively inelastic component, and a warp, which includes the relatively inelastic component together with the relatively elastic component.

Abstract: An elastic material includes a plurality of zones. Each of the zones has a particular modulus of elasticity associated with it and the distribution of the zones throughout the elastic material causes the material to have a variation of modulus of elasticity along a particular direction in the material. The elastic material includes a weft, which includes a relatively inelastic component, and a warp, which includes the relatively inelastic component together with the relatively elastic component.

Abstract: A swimwear garment having a material which is permeable to liquid but substantially impermeable to bowel movement material. In one embodiment, the garment can comprise a stand-alone disposable pant liner in the form of a swimpant with waist elastics and leg elastics. In other embodiments, a mesh liner can be a layer within a disposable swimpant. The mesh liner can be attached to the disposable swimpant around the perimeter of the composite structure, or in swimpants containing containment flaps, to the containment flaps. The mesh liner can, optionally, further include elastic strands attached under the mesh liner to provide further lift and hold the mesh liner close to the body of the wearer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating hemorrhoids and similar ailments are disclosed in which one or more piece of material are used to separate swollen, inflamed tissue from non-swollen tissue, material may be included within an undergarment that may be worn for the treatment of ailments such as hemorrhoids or an episiotomy. The material incorporated into the undergarment has elastic properties that, in the case of hemorrhoids, acts to separate the buttocks. The undergarment may also include one or more pocket enclosures to hold cold compresses, ice packs, pain ointment, etc. directly upon, or in close proximity to, the affected area. Alternately, the material may be one or more single-use strips that include adhesive such that the strips act to separate the affected area from the non-affected area.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics and fabric laminates are formed from continuous filaments or staple fibers of a select blend of specific grades of polyethylene and polypropylene which give improved fabric performance not heretofore recognized or described, such as high abrasion resistance, good tensile properties, excellent softness and the like. Furthermore, these blends have excellent melt spinning and processing properties which permit efficiently producing nonwoven fabrics at high productivity levels. The polymers are present as a lower-melting dominant continuous phase and at least one higher-melting noncontinuous phase dispersed therein. The lower-melting continuous phase forms at least 70 percent by weight of the fiber and comprises a linear low density polyethylene polymer of a melt index of greater than 10 and a density of less than 0.945 g/cc. At least one higher-melting noncontinuous phase comprises a polypropylene polymer with melt flow rate of greater than 20 g/10 min.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable sheet used, for example, as stock material for front and rear waist regions includes an elastically stretchable first sheet, a third sheet longer than said first sheet and bonded to said first sheet so as to form pleats, and a second sheet longer than said first and third sheets and bonded directly or indirectly to said first sheet so as to form pleats.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable sheet used, for example, as stock material for front and rear waist regions includes an elastically stretchable first sheet, a third sheet longer than said first sheet and bonded to said first sheet so as to form pleats, and a second sheet longer than said first and third sheets and bonded directly or indirectly to said first sheet so as to form pleats.