Body Cover Wrap

Abstract

The present application is directed to garments that provide a covering for skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodiment discloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration. In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towards the body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In one embodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion. One embodiment includes a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/214,817 filed on Apr. 29, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present application is directed to garments and, more particularly, to a wrap that is worn around the waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks, arms, or legs of a wearer to cover up imperfections in the skin of the wearer.

The skin, a protective membrane covering the exterior of the body, is comprised of three layers. The epidermis which is the outer layer, the dermis which is the middle layer, and the stratum or deepest layer. Stretch marks and skin alterations usually occur in the dermis. The dermis is an elastic, resilient middle layer which allows skin to retain its shape. When the dermis is stretched over time as in pregnancy and obesity, the skin becomes less elastic and connective fibers in the dermis can break and tear. The result is skin alterations like stretch marks and loose skin. This skin distension resulting in stretch marks and flab can occur on numerous areas of the body, namely the abdomen, thigh and buttock. Such damage to the skin can also be caused by lactation, weight lifting, aging, and other stressful activities that result in tension build up in the dermis.

Skin imperfections and scars are a major problem for women, especially after pregnancy. There have been numerous topical creams, oils, and solutions developed which women apply to the skin before or after pregnancy to help diminish, limit, and camouflage the marks. Most treatments have been unsuccessful or mildly effective. In the United States it is estimated that about 90 percent of women who have gone through pregnancy and 70 percent of adolescent females have stretch marks.

Many women also experience stretched skin or flabby skin in the stomach area after weight loss. Surgical solutions such as tummy tucks have resulted in some women redefining their stomach area, especially surrounding the naval. However, surgical procedures may not be effective for eliminating or reducing stretch marks and other skin imperfections, and many women are unwilling to undergo surgical procedures.

Additionally, a condition called cellulite may occur in females after puberty. This condition results from a collection of fat that pushes against the connective tissue beneath the skin causing the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker in areas of the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. This condition may leave women feeling apprehensive when exposing those areas of their body.

Many women with skin imperfections desire to wear bikini swim wear, midriff tops, or high cut underwear. As a result of these skin imperfections, they may instead relegate themselves to wearing one-piece swimwear that affords more complete coverage.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to garments that provide a covering for skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodiment discloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration. In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towards the body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In one embodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion. One embodiment includes a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel. In one embodiment, a storage pouch is attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

The garment may provide a remedy to unsightly skin imperfections in the abdomen, waist, stomach, midsection, thigh, arm, and buttocks body portions of the wearer. The garment provides a covering for body portions deemed unattractive by the wearer by utilizing a generally cylindrical-shaped garment made of stretchable fabric that provides comfort and a form-fitting smooth and seamless appearance to desired areas of the body. The garment may include a stretchable fabric panel that is positioned by the wearer around the circumference of the body portion to provide a form-fitting body wrap that covers skin imperfections, cellulite, and fatty areas. The body wrap may be used as an attractive outerwear garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a stretchable fabric panel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a body wrap according to one embodiment

FIG. 3 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body wrap according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front schematic view of a stretchable fabric panel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a body wrap and decorative fabric panel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a person wearing first and second body wraps according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a person wearing a body wrap with a pouch according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to garments that provide a covering for skin imperfections on a body portion of a wearer. One embodiment discloses a single stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration. In this configuration, the garment has an inner surface disposed towards the body, and an outer surface disposed away from the body. In one embodiment, the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering a shape of the body portion.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a stretchable fabric panel 12 of a body wrap 10. The stretchable fabric panel 12 may be constructed of fibers of an elasticized material that allows the stretchable fabric panel 12 to be yieldable both horizontally and vertically. Example materials that may be used for the stretchable fabric panel 12 include, but are not limited to, Lycra, spandex, elastane, and/or blends thereof. The stretchable fabric panel 12 may also include, but is not limited to, one or more different fibers such as cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon, and blends thereof to impart other desired properties.

Although the stretchable fabric panel 12 may include fibers of more than one material as described above, in one embodiment the stretchable fabric panel 12 is homogeneous throughout. That is, the stretchable fabric panel 12 may not include reinforcing bands, inserts, or panels that may tend to provide support or shaping functions for the body portion covered beyond that of the stretchable fabric panel 12 itself.

The stretchable fabric panel 12 may include first end 14 and second end 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second ends 14, 16 are joined together at seam 18 to form a hollow, generally cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape allows the wearer to step into the body wrap 10 and pull the body wrap 10 up to the body portion to be covered. Alternatively, the wearer may first pass their arms through the cylinder and pull the body wrap 10 over their head and down to the body part to be covered. The stretchable fabric panel 12 may also include an inner surface 30 disposed toward the body, and an outer surface 32 disposed away from the body.

The body wrap 10 when in the cylindrical shape as illustrated in FIG. 2, defines an upper opening 20 and a lower opening 22. The upper opening 20 has a diameter D1 and the lower opening 22 has a diameter D2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the diameter D1 of the upper opening 20 is approximately equal to the diameter D2 of the lower opening 22. This embodiment may be advantageously worn on the midsection or abdomen on the wearer as illustrated in FIG. 3, as well as on the legs or arms. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the diameter D1 of the upper opening 20 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the lower opening 22. This embodiment may be advantageously worn over the abdomen and hips as illustrated in FIG. 5, where the larger diameter D2 of the lower opening 22 affords better conformity over both the hips and abdomen of the wearer.

The material of construction selected for the stretchable fabric panel 12 may have a percent stretch in the horizontal and/or vertical directions in the range of about 50 percent to about 200 percent. The percent stretch may be selected such that the body wrap 10 conforms to the shape of the body portion covered without changing the shape the body portion has without the body wrap 10. Thus, in one embodiment, the body wrap 10 simply conforms to the body portion without providing any appreciable support to the body portion or any appreciable shaping of the body portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates the stretchable fabric panel 12 without the first and second ends 14,16 attached. The stretchable fabric panel 12 has an unstretched length L as measured from the first end 14 to the second end 16. The length L chosen may depend on a number of factors, such as the intended size of the body wrap 10. For example, the length L of a size small body wrap 10 may be less than the length L of a size large body wrap 10. In one embodiment, the length L ranges from about 12 inches to about 50 inches, although other lengths L are within the scope of the present invention.

The stretchable fabric panel 12 has an unstretched width W as measured from an upper edge 24 to a lower edge 26. The width W may be selected to provide varying amounts of coverage. Generally, the width W may vary in one embodiment from about 6 inches to about 15 inches, although other widths W are within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the body wrap 10 is intended to be worn as a decorative outer garment that is visible to an observer, not hidden beneath other garments. Accordingly, the outer surface 32 of the body wrap 10 may include a decorative color or pattern (not shown) on at least a portion of the outer surface 32.

To further accentuate the decorative nature of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 illustrates the body wrap 10 with a decorative fabric panel 28 attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the decorative fabric panel 28 is in the general form of a skirt. However, any shape or design known in the art may be used for the decorative fabric panel 28. For example, the decorative fabric panel 28 may comprise a tubular shape (not shown) that encircles at least part of the stretchable fabric panel 12. In one embodiment, a plurality of decorative fabric panels 28 may be attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12, such as in the form of a plurality of strips (not shown) attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12. In each of these embodiments, the decorative fabric panel 28 may be releasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12 to allow interchangeability of decorative fabric panels 28 for coordination with other garments.

One embodiment includes multiple body wraps 10 worn by the wearer simultaneously. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates the wearer wearing a first body wrap 10A such as that illustrated in FIG. 2 around the midsection and a second body wrap 10B such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 around the hips. Any combination of body wraps 10 on any combination of body portions may be utilized. In one embodiment, the first body wrap 10A and second body wrap 10B are configured to releasable attach to one another using devices known in the art such as snaps, hooks, stitching, zippers, buttons, and hook and loop fasteners to name but a few.

Due to the flexible characteristic of the stretchable fabric panel 12, the wearer may fold down a portion of the upper edge 24 or may fold up a portion of the lower edge 26. This may allow the user to custom fit the body wrap 10 to a specific shape of the body. For example, when the body wrap 10 is worn around the abdomen, portions of the upper edge may be folded down to avoid contact with the ribcage. Similarly, portions of the lower edge 26 may be folded up to better conform to the hips.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a storage pouch 34 attached to the body wrap 10 to store items such as a wallet, coins, cell phone, or the like. The pouch 34 may be attached to the outer surface 32 or inner surface 30 of the stretchable fabric panel 12. Additionally, the pouch 34 may be releasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel 12 so that the pouch 34 may be removed when not needed.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the garment in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising”, and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A garment for covering a body portion of a wearer, comprising:

a stretchable fabric panel to cover the body portion, the stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration with an inner surface disposed towards the body and an outer surface disposed away from the body;

wherein the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is adorned with colors or designs such that the garment may be worn as an outergarment.

3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the decorative fabric panel is releasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

5. The garment of claim 3, wherein the decorative fabric panel forms a skirt.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable fabric panel has an upper edge and a lower edge, and a vertical distance between the upper and lower edges is at least six inches.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable fabric panel is homogeneous throughout.

8. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a storage pouch attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable fabric panel is comprised of a single fabric panel.

10. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a second stretchable fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel such that the second stretchable fabric panel at least partially covers a different body portion than the stretchable fabric panel.

11. A garment for covering a body portion of a wearer, comprising:

a stretchable fabric panel to cover the body portion, the fabric panel having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration with an inner surface disposed toward the body and an outer surface disposed away from the body; and

a decorative fabric panel attached to the stretchable fabric panel and covering at least a portion of the outer surface;

wherein the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the decorative fabric panel is releasably attached to the stretchable fabric panel.

13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the decorative fabric panel is releasably attached in proximity to an upper edge of the stretchable fabric panel and unattached in proximity to a lower edge of the stretchable fabric panel.

14. The garment of claim 11, wherein the stretchable fabric panel is homogeneous throughout.

15. A garment for covering a body portion of a wearer, comprising:

a stretchable fabric panel to cover the body portion, the stretchable fabric panel having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends joined together to form a hollow cylindrical configuration defining an upper opening and a lower opening wherein a vertical distance from the upper opening to the lower opening is at least six inches;

wherein the stretchable fabric panel is resiliently yieldable both horizontally and vertically such that the stretchable fabric panel conforms to a shape of the body portion while generally unaltering the shape of the body portion.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the stretchable fabric panel is homogeneous throughout.