Shaping undergarment and method of its manufacture

Abstract

A shaping undergarment includes a front panel and a rear panel connected thereto, forming an undergarment having first and second hip regions. A frictional band attached to the undergarment extends along at least a portion of the rear panel between the first and second hip regions. The frictional band may extend substantially continuously between the first and second hip regions, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, may be a single continuous band. When worn, the frictional band frictionally engages the wearer's skin to uplift and extend the wearer's buttocks. The frictional band may be totally or partially obscured from view. The material properties of the frictional band, such as its coefficient of friction with skin and elastic modulus, and its path along the undergarment, may be designed to achieve a particularly aesthetically pleasing result for the wearer of the shaping undergarment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional application no. 60/833,195, filed Jul. 25, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garments. More particularly, the present invention relates to an undergarment for enhancing the appearance of a wearer's buttocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals often rely upon their garments to enhance their appearance. At its simplest, this process can involve wearing particular patterns or fabrics that create an illusion of a particular appearance. For example, vertical stripes make the wearer appear slimmer.

Special garments may also be used to enhance both the size and presentation of certain body parts. For example, undergarments, such as corsets and girdles, have long been used to reshape a person's figure. To a certain extent, these special garments can change the shape and proportion of the wearer's body parts in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In striving for a callipygian ideal, many shaping garments enhance the appearance of the wearer's buttocks by uplifting. These extant undergarments, however, often have the undesirable effect of simultaneously flattening the wearer's buttocks, thereby spoiling the individual's natural figure. Alternatively, some extant garments shape through padding, which also spoils the individual's natural figure. Further, though they may provide the wearer with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, the undergarment itself is often not aesthetically appealing.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an aesthetically pleasing shaping undergarment that enhances the appearance of the wearer's buttocks without spoiling the individual's natural figure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shaping undergarment that enhances and augments the appearance of the wearer's buttocks by uplifting while simultaneously preserving a natural shape of the buttocks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an undergarment that shapes the wearer's buttocks without the use of padding.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing shaping undergarment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shaping undergarment that provides customizable shaping and support.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a shaping undergarment includes a front panel and a rear panel connected thereto. The front and rear panel together form an undergarment having a first hip region and a second, opposite hip region. The undergarment may also include leg extensions to support the wearer's legs below the buttocks. Attached to the undergarment and extending along at least a portion of the rear panel between the first and second hip regions is a frictional band. The frictional band grips (that is, frictionally engages) the wearer's skin in order to uplift and extend (that is, augment) the wearer's buttocks to provide a more aesthetically pleasing shape without spoiling the natural appearance of the wearer's buttocks. The frictional band may be totally or partially obscured from view, for example via the rear panel or via a camouflaging feature such as a lace trim, in order that the shaping undergarment be aesthetically pleasing. An end of the frictional band may be removably attached to the undergarment, thereby permitting the frictional band to be adjusted to the wearer's liking.

The shaping undergarment may be manufactured by attaching the front panel to the rear panel, either via a seam or seamlessly. This forms an undergarment of generally familiar appearance and having first and second hip regions. The frictional band may then be attached to the undergarment extending along at least a portion of the rear panel between the first and second hip regions. The frictional band may extend substantially continuously between the first and second hip regions, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, may be a single continuous band. The material properties of the frictional band, such as its thickness, width, coefficient of friction with skin, and elastic modulus, as well as the path of the frictional band along the undergarment and the point or points at which the frictional band is attached to the undergarment, may be selected, designed, and adjusted to achieve a particularly aesthetically pleasing result for the wearer of the shaping undergarment.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shaping undergarment is a buttocks-shaping clothing article including an undergarment and means for frictionally engaging and uplifting a wearer's buttocks attached to a rear panel of the undergarment.

There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view illustrating a shaping undergarment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shaping undergarment including leg extensions.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a shaping undergarment illustrating frictional bands in single or multiple band form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present inventive apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1. A shaping undergarment 10 generally includes a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14 attached to front panel 12. Together, front panel 12 and rear panel 14 form an undergarment 16 including a first (i.e., left) hip region 18 and a second, opposite (i.e., right) hip region 20. Undergarment 16 is of generally familiar configuration and appearance, having a waist opening 22 at an upper portion thereof and two leg openings 24, 26 at a lower portion thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, a bikini-style undergarment 16, first and second hip regions 18, 20 are adjacent to waist opening 22, though other configurations and styles of undergarment 16 are regarded as within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Undergarment 16 further optionally includes first and second leg extensions 27a and 27b extending downwardly from leg openings 24 and 26, respectively, in order to lend support to the wearer's upper legs.

To shape the wearer's buttocks, a frictional band 28 is attached to or embedded in undergarment 16 extending along at least a portion of rear panel 14 between first hip region 18 and second hip region 20. One of skill in the art will appreciate that attachment between frictional band 28 and undergarment 16 may be by sewing, gluing, taping, melt-processing, or any other suitable method.

In some embodiments of the invention, frictional band 28 extends substantially continuously from first hip region 18 to second hip region 20, and may extend adjacent at least one of first and second leg openings 24,26. In other embodiments, frictional band 28 extends only along first and second leg openings 24, 26 (that is, frictional band may not extend all the way to either or both of first and second hip regions 18, 20).

While frictional band 28 may be a single band 30 (FIG. 3) extending between first and second hip regions 18, 20, frictional band 28 may optionally include multiple discrete pieces 32 (FIG. 3), which may be either connected to each other, such as by sewing, gluing, taping melt-processing, or another method, or disconnected from each other. It is also contemplated that frictional band 28 may be directly integrated with undergarment 16, for example as a reinforced edge of thereof. For example, frictional band 28 may include a plurality of discrete pieces 32 affixed to or embedded into undergarment 16 proximate the rearward portions leg openings 24, 26. Preferably, the width of each discrete pieces 32 are about ⅛ to ½ inches, but may vary in width beyond the aforementioned measurements.

The coefficient of friction between frictional band 28 and skin is sufficient that frictional band 28 will grip (that is, frictionally engage) the wearer's skin rather than glide smoothly across the wearer's skin, thereby uplifting and extending the wearer's buttocks when shaping undergarment 10 is worn. By both uplifting and extending the wearer's buttocks, the appearance of the wearer's buttocks is enhanced and augmented while preserving a natural (that is, unflattened) shape.

To create the desired friction, frictional band 28 is preferably a polymeric band or a band having a polymer coating or element on at least part of the surface adjacent the wearer's buttocks. By way of example only, frictional band 28 may be entirely coated with a polymer, fully coated with a polymer only on one surface, partially treated with a polymer on the surface adjacent the wearer's buttocks, or provided with one or more strips of polymeric tape on the surface adjacent the wearer's buttocks. Other methods of creating friction between frictional band 28 and the wearer's buttocks, such as roughening the surface of frictional band 28 or applying an adhesive thereto, are also contemplated.

Frictional band 28 may be an elastic band. Where an elastic band is employed, the elastic modulus of frictional band 28 can be selected to achieve a particularly desirable shaping of the wearer's buttocks. The degree of uplifting and shaping of the wearer's buttocks may be further adjusted by altering the coefficient of friction between frictional band 28 and skin. Further, it is also contemplated that the width and thickness of frictional band 28 may be selected to achieve a particularly aesthetically pleasing result.

In addition, anchor points for frictional band 28 (that is, the points at which frictional band 28 is attached to undergarment 16) and the path of frictional band 28 may also be selected or adjusted to achieve a particularly desirable shaping of the wearer's buttocks by effectively pre-stressing frictional band 28. In some embodiments of the invention, fasteners 29 removably attach the ends of frictional band 28 to undergarment 16, for example adjacent hip regions 18, 20. By way of example only, fasteners 29 may be clasps, buttons, snaps, or hook-and-loop type fasteners 29. It should be understood that the components of fasteners 29 may be attached to frictional band 28 and undergarment 16 in any configuration (e.g., there may be a single button on each end of frictional band 28 with multiple button holes on undergarment 16, a single button on each hip region 18, 20 and multiple button holes on either end of frictional band 28, a single button hole on each end of frictional band 28 and multiple button holes on each hip region 18, 20, or a single button hole on each hip region 18, 20 and multiple buttons on each end of frictional band 28). This permits the wearer to adjust frictional band 28 to achieve a customized, desirable, and comfortable degree of shaping and support, much as one would adjust a brassiere.

Thus, it should be understood from this disclosure and from practicing the invention that various properties and characteristics (i.e., width, thickness, and coefficient of friction) of frictional band 28 may be specifically selected, and the attachment of frictional band 28 to undergarment 16 specifically designed, so as to achieve aesthetically pleasing and comfortable results for the wearer.

To present a pleasing, finished appearance of shaping undergarment 10, frictional band 28 may be at least partially obscured from view. In certain embodiments of shaping undergarment 10, frictional band 28 is at least partially obscured, and preferably is totally obscured, by rear panel 14. Such a configuration is shown adjacent second leg opening 26 in FIG. 1 (a portion of frictional band 28 is shown in phantom hidden by rear panel 14). Alternatively, as shown adjacent first leg opening 24 in FIG. 1 (frictional band 28 is shown entirely in phantom), frictional band 28 may be partially or totally obscured by a camouflaging feature 30, such as a lace trim, attached to undergarment 16. The panty itself may also camouflage the frictional band 28 as the band(s) may be directly adhered to the underside of the panty along leg openings. Frictional band 28 may also be integrated with or attached to camouflaging feature 30, for example by applying a polymer coating to or roughening one surface of camouflaging feature 30 or by selecting a frictional band 28 that is also camouflaging. As with frictional band 28, camouflaging feature 30 may be integrated with undergarment 16.

It should also be understood that coloring the frictional band 28 may also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the shaping undergarment 10. For example, where it is desired to hide frictional band 28 from view, it may be clear. Alternatively, frictional band 28 may be colored to match or contrast with undergarment 16 as desired.

To manufacture shaping undergarment 10, front panel 12 is attached to rear panel 14 to form undergarment 16. Front panel 12 and rear panel 14 may be joined along a seam or, as illustrated in FIG. 1, seamlessly. Frictional band 28 is then attached to undergarment 16, for example by sewing, gluing, taping, melt-processing, or another method, though integrally forming frictional band 28 with undergarment 16 is regarded as within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As described above, frictional band 28 may be attached substantially continuously to undergarment 16 between first and second hip regions 18, 20, and, in certain embodiments, is a single continuous component, however, in the preferred embodiment there are multiple strips/bands. As further described above, either or both ends of frictional band 28 may be removably attached to undergarment 16 using fasteners 29. If desired, camouflaging feature 30 may then be attached to undergarment 16. As with frictional band 28, camouflaging feature may be sewn to or integrally formed with undergarment 16, and may be either continuous or discontinuous, however, in the preferred embodiment, the strips are clear and totally hidden by the undergarment itself.

While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the present invention may be practiced equally well with any style of undergarment 16, including, but not limited to, bikini and brief styles. Thus, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the invention should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A shaping undergarment, comprising:

a front panel;

a rear panel connected to said front panel and forming therewith an undergarment having a first hip region and a second, opposite hip region; and

a frictional band attached to said undergarment and extending along at least a portion of said rear panel between said first hip region and said second hip region.

2. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said frictional band comprises a polymeric band.

3. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said frictional band comprises a polymer-coated band.

4. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said frictional band extends substantially continuously from said first hip region to said second hip region.

5. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein a segment of said frictional band extends adjacent at least one of a first leg opening in said undergarment and a second leg opening in said undergarment.

6. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said frictional band is at least partially obscured from external view.

7. The shaping undergarment according to claim 6, further comprising a camouflaging feature at least partially obscuring said frictional band from external view.

8. The shaping undergarment according to claim 7, wherein said frictional band is integrated with said camouflaging feature

9. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said first and second hip regions are adjacent a waist opening of said undergarment.

10. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein an end of said frictional band is removably attached to said undergarment.

11. The shaping undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said frictional band comprises a elastic frictional band.

12. A method of manufacturing a shaping undergarment, the method comprising:

attaching a front panel to a rear panel, forming thereby an undergarment having a first hip region and a second, opposite hip region; and

attaching a frictional band to the undergarment extending along at least a portion of the rear panel between the first hip region and the second hip region.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein attaching a frictional band to the undergarment comprises attaching a polymeric band to the undergarment.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein attaching a frictional band to the undergarment comprises attaching a polymer-coated band to the undergarment.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein attaching a frictional band to the undergarment comprises attaching a substantially continuous frictional band to the undergarment between the first hip region and the second hip region.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising camouflaging at least a portion of the frictional band from external view.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein camouflaging at least a portion of the frictional band from external view comprises attaching a camouflaging feature to the undergarment.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising integrating the frictional band with the camouflaging feature.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein attaching a frictional band to the undergarment comprises removably attaching an end of the frictional band to the undergarment.

20. A buttocks-shaping clothing article, comprising:

an undergarment; and

means for frictionally engaging and uplifting a wearer's buttocks attached to a rear panel of said undergarment.