INNER PANEL FOR GARMENT

Abstract

A garment arrangement including a rear panel having at least one portion of an elastic material structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent and/or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a rear portion of a body of a wearer of the garment arrangement. The rear panel configured to facilitate at least one tightening force on the rear portion of the body of the wearer. The garment arrangement also including a front panel having at least one portion of a rigid material, and structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent and/or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a front portion of the body of the wearer. The front panel providing a constricting force on the front portion of the body of the wearer, and the rear panel and the front panel can be connected to one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/248,268, filed on Oct. 2, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of a panel used in clothing construction and methods of making the same, and more particularly, to a lining in a garment that can stretch at a buttocks portion and/or tighten a tummy portion of the human body when worn thereby.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Many individuals diet and exercise in an attempt to shape their bodies in a particular manner. Unfortunately, many women and men find they cannot shape their profile to reverse the aging process, effects of gravity, or their genetic features. Some have resorted to cosmetic surgeries to shape their buttocks, hips, thighs, etc. These procedures, however, are very costly, can create scaring, and have other undesirable problems.

The fashion and textile industries provide apparel to consumers for various purposes. One large segment of consumers are women who generally desire clothing that make them look and feel good by shaping their bodies. A large segment of the female population between the ages of 25-50 in the Western Hemisphere (USA, Canada, South and Central America) and Europe have either excess body fat, lack of physical fitness and/or aging and sagging bodies. This same demographic group generally desires to look younger, more feminine and curvaceous, more fit and more firm. These women like to wear indigo denim jeans that are popular among younger women, and are casual, durable and comfortable. For many reasons, including a desire to shape their bodies, some women wear foundation garments under their clothing. Unfortunately, layers of such foundation garments with other clothing can be uncomfortable for some wearers, and unsightly with certain styles of clothing.

Clothing with built-in foundation garments has been previously manufactured. However, these built-in garments can have drawbacks, including constructions which merely hold-in a stomach or the buttocks of a wearer's body. Such constructions can be ill-suited for consumers who may want garments that accentuate their body shape, instead of only squeezing or holding the stomach or the buttocks.

Recently, jeans composed of denim and blends with elastic fibers have become popular because of their comfort and improved styling. However, none in the market include a body profile enhancing system, particularly for the abdominal and gluteal region of a wearer. Moreover, due to the stretch nature of the material, foundation garments used to offset profile changes may not be usually suitable because their outline typically shows through the stretched fabric creating an unappealing affect. Thus, there remains a need in the clothing industry to provide clothing capable of accentuating a body shape, without the drawbacks as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

At least some of the above described problems can be addressed by exemplary embodiments of the apparel and method of making such apparel according to the present disclosure. For example, using such exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide arrangements or manufacture intended or structured for use in connection with shorts, pants, jeans, skirts or trousers that have the effect of slimming and/or shaping a middle section of a human body, and possibly improving the fit of the garment. Such exemplary arrangements or manufactures can comprise an interior lining that can extend across the back of the garment which can effectively extend across a buttocks portion of the human body when worn thereby. A separate lining may also be provided that can be attached to the interior of the front pockets of the garment at or near the hip portions of the human body when worn.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment arrangement can be provided which can include a rear panel having at least one portion of an elastic material structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent and/or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a rear portion of a body of a wearer of the garment arrangement. The rear panel can be configured to facilitate at least one tightening force on the rear portion of the body of the wearer. The garment arrangement can also include a front panel having at least one portion of a rigid material, and structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent and/or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a front portion of the body of the wearer. The front panel can provide a constricting force on the front portion of the body of the wearer, and the rear panel and the front panel can be connected to one another.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the rear portion of the body can include buttocks of the wearer, and the elastic portion can provide a tightening force on the buttocks.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the front portion of the body of can include an abdomen of the wearer, and the rigid portion can provide a constricting force on the abdomen. The elastic portion can include a first layer of a particular elastic material and a second layer of another elastic material. The first and second layers can be joined to one another using a thermoplastic adhesive.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the first and second layers can be shaped and joined so as to form at least one single-ply inner region and at least one double-ply outer region. Further, the double-ply outer region can exert a first tightening force and the single-ply inner region can exert a second tightening force. The first tightening force can be greater than the second tightening force.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the rear panel can include a left panel and a right panel, and the left and right panels can each include at least one single-ply inner region and at least one double-ply outer region.

According to still another exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the rear panel can be attached to at least one of a bottom seam of a waistband, a left sideseam, a right sideseam, or a crotch seam of the garment arrangement. The rear panel can be unconnected to a middle seam of the garment arrangement.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the rear panel can be attached to the garment arrangement via a single needle lockstitch seam, or at least one of stitching or an adhesive.

According to still exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the elastic portion can include a stretch nylon/spandex tricot warp knit fabric. The stretch nylon/spandex tricot warp knit fabric can include about 18-20% spandex or about 80-82% nylon.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the front panel can include at least one inner pocket. The front panel can be attached to at least one of a bottom seam of a waistband, a left sideseam, or a right sideseam of the garment arrangement, and the front panel can include a woven material

According to still another exemplary embodiment of the garment arrangement, the garment arrangement can includes a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a skirt, a pair of pants, underwear, and/or swimwear. The front and rear panels can be structured such that the rear panel and/or the front panel is hidden from view when the garment arrangement is worn by the wearer

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment can be provided which can include an elastic rear panel configured to shape at least a first portion of a body of a wearer of the garment. The rear panel can include at least one inner region and at least one outer region. Further, the inner and outer regions can exert different respective tightening forces on the first portion of the body of the wearer so as to shape the first portion of the body of the wearer. The garment can further include a rigid front panel configured to shape at least a second portion of the body of the wearer. The front panel can include a woven material that exerts a constricting force on the second portion of the body of the wearer. The rear panel and the front panel can be connected to one another.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the garment, the inner region and the outer region can be defined by a shape, orientation, and joining of at least two elastic layers. The first and second elastic layers can be shaped, oriented, and joined such that the inner region includes a single-ply of elastic material and the at least one outer region includes a two-ply of elastic material. The outer region can exert a tightening force on the first portion of the body of the wearer that is higher than the force exerted on the body of the wearer by the inner region. The rear panel can include a left panel and a right panel. Further, each of the left and right panels can include at least one inner region and at least one outer region.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a rear portion of an arrangement (e.g., a garment) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front portion of the garment according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 or another garment.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

Exemplary embodiments of the device according to the present disclosure will be described below.

An exemplary embodiment of the arrangement or manufacture of the present disclosure can include a stretch textile panel along a back side of a garment that can slim and/or shape the buttocks portion of a human body, and combine such panel with a rigid woven panel across the front side of the lower stomach/lap area that can tuck in a stomach of a wearer, and provide the wearer a flatter and/or smaller looking stomach.

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear interior portion of a garment 10 having a left leg panel 32 and a right leg panel 34, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary garment 10 can include shorts, pants, jeans, skirts, trousers, swimsuit trunks or bathing suit, or other applicable apparel. The rear panel 20 can be constructed or designed to fit across the entire rear portion of an interior portion of the garment 10, and can be made from, e.g., a 4-way stretch nylon/spandex (e.g., 80-82% nylon (+/−5%) and 18-20% spandex (+/−5%)) tricot warp knit fabric (e.g., high power stretch fabric). The rear panel 20 can be attached to a rear interior portion of the garment 10 so that when worn, the rear panel 20 is not visible from an exterior of the garment 10.

A top portion of the rear panel 20 can be sewn into a portion that is provided on an underneath side of a bottom seam 42 of the inside of a waistband 40. Of course, the top portion of the panel 20 can be attached to the waistband 40 in various other ways. Additionally, the panel 20 can be attached (e.g., sewn) to a sideseam 44 of the left leg panel 32 of the garment 10, and to a sideseam 48 of the right leg panel 34 of the garment 10. Such exemplary attachments can be sewn or attached (e.g., glued) in an inconspicuous manner, e.g., with a single needle lockstitch seam. The panel 20 can also be attached (e.g., sewn) to a crotch seam 36 of the garment 10, e.g., using a single needle lockstitch seam. Preferably, the rear panel 20 would not be sewn or attached to the middle seam 46 of the garment 10.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the rear panel 20 can comprise a right rear panel 22a and a left rear panel 22b. The right rear panel 22a can comprise a right outer portion 14a, and a right inner portion 12a (which is separated from the right outer portion 14a by a right boundary 18a). The left rear panel 22b can comprise a left outer portion 14b, and a left inner portion 12b (which is separated from the left outer portion 14b by a left boundary 18b). The width w of the outer portions 14a, 14b can range from 1.5″ to 3.5″ from the boundaries 18a, 18b to an outer perimeter edge of the outer portions 14a, 14b. The right outer portion 14a of the right rear panel 22a and the left outer portion 14b of the left rear panel 22b can be constructed or made of two layers of fabric, and the right inner portion 12a of the right rear panel 22a and the left inner portion 12b of the left rear panel 22b can be constructed or made of one layer of fabric. The outer portions 14a, 14b can therefore be two ply (i.e., double-ply). By doubling the outer portions 14a, 14b along the perimeter edges of the buttocks area, the rear panel 20 can cause the wearer's skin and body fat to be constricted where there are two layers of fabric. Where there is only a single layer of fabric (i.e., inner portions 12a, 12b), the wearer's skin and body fat will be at ease. Such exemplary pattern of the rear panel 20 can provide the buttocks area of the wearer to appear tighter, smaller, firmer and give a more curvaceous appearance to the wearer and to others.

The rear panel 20 can be constructed from two panels 22a and 22b. For right rear panel 22a, a first layer of fabric can comprise the entire area of the right rear panel 22a (i.e., right outer portion 14a and right inner portion 12a), and a second layer of fabric with only right outer portion 14a (and no right inner portion 12a, such that the area of the right inner portion 12a is an empty space). The two layers of fabric can then be bonded together using a two-sided thermoplastic adhesive at the right outer portions 14a of the two layers of fabric. The bonding of the two layers of fabric at the right outer portions 14a can be performed by a heat press and/or a fusing machine.

For left rear panel 22b, a first layer of fabric can comprise the entire area of the left rear panel 22b (i.e., left outer portion 14b and left inner portion 12b), and a second layer of fabric with only left outer portion 14b (and no left inner portion 12b, such that the area of the left inner portion 12b is an empty space). The two layers of fabric can also be bonded together using a two-sided thermoplastic adhesive at the left outer portions 14b of the two layers of fabric. The bonding of the two layers of fabric at the outer portions 14b can also be performed by a heat press and/or a fusing machine.

The right rear panel 22a and left rear panel 22b can be joined together along middle portion 14c, which is an overlapping area of right outer portion 14a and left outer portion 14b. The overlapping area of middle portion 14c can be approximately ⅜ inch to 1 inch, and the right rear panel 22a and left rear panel 22b can be joined together by a flatlock seam using a superimposed seam construction. In an alternative embodiment, the right rear panel 22a and left rear panel 22b can be fused together such that middle portion 14c can be a double sided fusible interlining such as a thermoplastic adhesive (e.g., the right rear panel 22a and left rear panel 22b can be attached together at middle portion 14c with a heat press machine and/or a fusing machine). Such exemplary methods of joining the right rear panel 22a and left rear panel 22b together can avoid having any bulky or conspicuous that can be visible through the outer shell fabric of the garment 10.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front interior portion 50 of the garment 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A front portion 50 of the garment 10 can have, e.g., two scoop pockets, i.e., a left pocket 52 and a right pocket 54. The pockets 52, 54 can have inside pocket bags made out of 100% cotton woven sheeting (i.e., pocketing material). This material can be comprised of a rigid structure, and likely have very little or no stretch characteristics. The left pocket 52 can be attached (e.g., sewn) to the garment 10 along the sideseam 44, to an underneath side of the bottom seam 42 of the inside of the waistband 40, and along a fly, closure or zipper boundary 62 of a fly, closure or zipper area 60 of the garment. The right pocket 52 can be attached (e.g., sewn) to the garment 10 along the sideseam 48, to an underneath side of the bottom seam 42 of the inside of the waistband 40, and along the fly boundary 64 of the fly area 60 of the garment 10. The pocket material of the pockets 52, 54 can have two layers, that can be joined along boundaries 72, 74, respectively, but may not be attached to the front interior portion 50 of the garment 10. Rivets 70 can be punched from the outer portion of the garment 10 to the inside portions of the pockets 52, 54.

In an exemplary embodiment of jeans, the pocketing for a scoop pocket can extend from a side seam to the fly area. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the garment 10 can have a left pocket 52 that can extend from the sideseam 44 across to the fly area 60, and a right pocket 54 that can extend from the sideseam 48 also across to the fly area 60. The pockets 52, 54 can function as a rigid band that extends from the sideseam 44 to the sideseam 48 across the front portion 50 of the garment 10. In this manner, the stomach of the wearer is constricted and tightened so it gives the image of the wearer having a flatter and firmer stomach.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in various clothing apparel, such as pants, trousers, jeans, shorts, underwear, swimsuits or any garment for covering the trunk portion of the body and having seat and crotch areas. Such embodiments can provide a wearer with a more youthful, firmer and curvaceous appearance by placing a high power stretch textile panel along the back side of the seat area, and combining it with a rigid woven panel across the front side of the lower stomach/lap area that can tuck in the stomach and give the wearer a flatter looking stomach.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, manufacture and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment arrangement, comprising:

a rear panel including at least one portion of an elastic material structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a rear portion of a body of a wearer of the garment arrangement, the rear panel configured to facilitate at least one tightening force on the rear portion of the body of the wearer; and

a front panel including at least one portion of a rigid material, and structured to be provided at least partially (i) adjacent or (ii) directly or indirectly coupled to a front portion of the body of the wearer, the front panel providing a constricting force on the front portion of the body of the wearer, wherein the rear panel and the front panel are connected to one another.

2. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion of the body includes buttocks of the wearer, and wherein the at least one elastic portion provides a tightening force on the buttocks.

3. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the front portion of the body of includes an abdomen of the wearer, and wherein the at least one rigid portion provides a constricting force on the abdomen.

4. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic portion includes a first layer of a particular elastic material and a second layer of another elastic material.

5. The garment arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the first and second layers are joined to one another using a thermoplastic adhesive.

6. The garment arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the first and second layers are shaped and joined so as to form at least one single-ply inner region and at least one double-ply outer region, the at least one double-ply outer region exerting a first tightening force and the at least one single-ply inner region exerting a second tightening force, the first tightening force being greater than the second tightening force.

7. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel includes a left panel and a right panel, the left and right panels each including at least one single-ply inner region and at least one double-ply outer region.

8. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel is attached to at least one of a bottom seam of a waistband, a left sideseam, a right sideseam, or a crotch seam of the garment arrangement.

9. The garment arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the rear panel is unconnected to a middle seam of the garment arrangement.

10. The garment arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the rear panel is attached to the garment arrangement via a single needle lockstitch seam.

11. The garment arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the rear panel is attached to the garment arrangement via at least one of stitching or an adhesive.

12. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic portion includes a stretch nylon/spandex tricot warp knit fabric.

13. The garment arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the stretch nylon/spandex tricot warp knit fabric includes about 80-82% nylon.

14. The garment arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the stretch nylon/spandex tricot warp knit fabric includes about 18-20% spandex.

15. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the front panel includes at least one inner pocket.

16. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the front panel is attached to at least one of a bottom seam of a waistband, a left sideseam, or a right sideseam of the garment arrangement.

17. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a woven material.

18. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the garment arrangement includes at least one of a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shorts, a pair of trousers, a skirt, a pair of pants, underwear, or swimwear.

19. The garment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels are structured such that at least one of the rear panel or the front panel is hidden from view when the garment arrangement is worn by the wearer.

20. A garment comprising:

an elastic rear panel configured to shape at least a first portion of a body of a wearer of the garment, the rear panel including at least one inner region and at least one outer region, the at least one inner and outer regions exerting different respective tightening forces on the first portion of the body of the wearer so as to shape the first portion of the body of the wearer; and

a rigid front panel configured to shape at least a second portion of the body of the wearer, the front panel including a woven material exerting a constricting force on the second portion of the body of the wearer, wherein the rear panel and the front panel are connected to one another.

21. The garment according to claim 20, wherein the at least one inner region and the at least one outer region are defined by a shape, orientation, and joining of at least two elastic layers.

22. The garment according to claim 21, wherein the first and second elastic layers are shaped, oriented, and joined such that the at least one inner region includes a single-ply of elastic material and the at least one outer region includes a two-ply of elastic material.

23. The garment according to claim 20, wherein the at least one outer region exerts a tightening force on the first portion of the body of the wearer that is higher than the force exerted on the body of the wearer by the at least one inner region.

24. The garment as recited in claim 20, wherein the rear panel includes a left panel and a right panel, each of the left and right panels including at least one inner region and at least one outer region.