BUTTOCKS ENHANCING GARMENT

Abstract

The invention provides a form-fitting garment configured to enhance the buttocks of the wearer. A garment of the invention includes a pair of buttock overlay portions sized and positioned to overlay the buttocks of the wearer and a pair of buttock support bands disposed beneath the buttock overlay portions sized and positioned to overlay a portion of a wearer's body beneath each buttock so as to apply compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock. The buttock overlay portions and buttock support bands cooperate to provide support and/or add lift and/or curve to the buttocks of the wearer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/331,081, filed May 3, 2016, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/407,056, filed Oct. 12, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Human bodies come in a miriad of shapes and sizes. Society, however, generally regards certain physical features or body shapes as more attractive or desirable than others. Those considered more attractive have been reported to do better in the work place than those considered less attractive. For example, it is believed that attractive people are more likely to earn a higher salary than their less attractive counterpart. In addition, more attractive people tend to be perceived as being more persuasive or having greater credibility than less attractive people. The desire to look good or be attractive has spawned multiple industries that assist individuals in their quest to improve their physical features or body shapes. These include the cosmetic industry, diet and weightloss industry, and the gym and fitness industry, as well as the fashion and apparel industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides facile means for immediately enhancing an individual's physical appearance and body shape. The invention is based on the discovery of a garment that can enhance the wearer's buttock and physical appearance. A garment of the invention supports or lifts the buttocks of the wearer, and optionally, adds shape to the buttocks.

In one aspect, the invention provides a form-fitting garment configured to enhance the buttocks of the wearer, the garment having a pair of buttock overlay portions sized and positioned to overlay the buttocks of the wearer, the buttock overlay portions being constructed of material having a level of compression, fabric weight, thickness, or a combination thereof that differs from that of material in adjoining portions of the garment.

In some embodiments, the buttock overlay portions are stitched to adjoining portions of the garment. In some embodiments, the buttock overlay portions are attached to adjoining portions of the garment using a flat lock stitch.

In some embodiments, the level of compression, fabric weight, or both level of compression and fabric weight of the buttock overlay portions are lower than that of adjoining portions of the garment. In some embodiments, the buttock overlay portions are formed of a stretch mesh fabric. In some embodiments, each of the buttock overlay portions include a pocket within which padding material is disposed thereby adding thickness to the buttock overlay portion relative to that of adjacent portions of the garment. In some embodiments, the padding material is a removable insert. In some embodiments, the padding material is batting, silicon gel, polyurethane foam rubber, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the garment includes a pair of buttock support bands disposed beneath the buttock overlay portions of the garment, the buttock support bands being sized and positioned to overlay a portion of a wearer's body beneath each buttock so as to apply compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock, the buttock support bands being formed of materials having a higher level of compression and/or fabric weight than that of the buttock overlay portions, the buttock support bands applying greater compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock than that applied by the buttock overlay portions to the wearer's buttocks.

In some embodiments, each of the buttock support bands includes a tubular pocket within which a flexible wire is inserted to form an underwire supporting each buttock.

In some embodiments, each of the buttock support bands is formed of material having a compression level of at least about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight at least between about 150 to about 250 grams/meter.

In some embodiments, each of the buttock overlay portions is formed using material having a compression level less than about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight less than about 150 grams/meter.

In some embodiments, the garment is constructed using a first material forming the buttock overlay portions and a second material forming the adjoining portions of the garment to which the buttock overlay portions are stitched, the first material having a lower level of compression and/or a lower fabric weight than that of the second material, the second material forming the remaining portion of the garment.

In some embodiments, the first material has a light compression level of less than about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight less than about 150 grams/meter², and the second material has mild compression level of at least about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight at least about 150 to about 250 grams/meter².

In some embodiments, the garment is formed using a single layer of fabric.

In some embodiments, the garment is constructed using spandex, super stretch spandex, elastane, lycra, equestrian lycra, wicking lycra, cotton lycra, supplex lycra, polyester, dry fit polyester, nylon, cotton, organic cotton, wool, rayon, viscose, bamboo, supplex, tactel, tencel, polyamide, power net, poly net, power mesh, poly mesh, leg elastic, spandura, or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides an integrated garment having a visible portion under which a form-fitting, buttock enhancing liner is attached, the liner having a pair of buttock overlay portions and a pair of buttock support bands. In some embodiments, the visible portion and buttock enhancing liner are attached at their waist openings, front central seam, rear central seam, a side seam, a seam at the leg opening, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the visible portion is a pair of trousers, a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shorts, a pair of full length leggings, a pair of capri length leggings, a pair of ankle length leggings, a pair of tights, a bikini bottom, a one piece swimsuit, a skirt, a tennis skirt, a golf skirt, a pair of maternity trousers, a pair of maternity denim jeans, a pair of maternity shorts, a pair of full length maternity leggings, a pair of capri length maternity leggings, a pair of ankle length maternity leggings, a pair of maternity tights, a maternity bikini bottom, a maternity one piece swimsuit, a maternity skirt, a maternity golf skirt, or a maternity tennis skirt.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below.

All patents and publications referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and each such referenced patent or publication is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forth herein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this specification any and all materials and information from any such cited patents or publications.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a garment of the invention illustrating the buttock overlay portions constructed using a light mesh material beneath which buttock support bands are disposed.

FIGS. 2A-2B are two views of a garment of the invention including a view of the front (2A) and a view of the back (2B) of a garment having buttock overlay portions constructed of low compression material adjoining buttock-support bands constructed of high compression material.

FIGS. 3A-3B are front and rear views, respectively, of a garment of the invention including a view of front 1F with tummy-support band 2F (3A) and a view of rear 1B with buttock pocket 4, buttock-support band 2B, and optional, underwire insert 3 (3B).

FIGS. 4A-4D provide various views of a garment of the invention including: a view from the front of outside layer 40F (4A), a view from the back of outside layer 40B (4B); a view from the front of inner tummy-support panel 44F (4C), which extends downward to crotch and sideways to the back to form pocket flaps 44B (4D) that overlays the open top of pockets 42.

FIG. 5 provides a rear view of another embodiment of a garment of the invention illustrating the buttock overlay portions, each with opening 67 for insertion of buttock enhancing insert 63.

FIGS. 6A-6C are views of components for constructing an integrated garment of the invention including a view of buttock-overlay portion 600P (6A) and the adjoining front/back portion (600F, 600B) (6B) of the buttock enhancing liner, which is integrated within a legging constructed using front portion 700F, back portion 700B, mid-portion 700M, and lower leg portion 700L (6C).

FIGS. 7A-7C are views of components for constructing another embodiment of an integrated garment of the invention including a view of buttock-overlay pocket 800P (7A), as well as adjoining liner front 800F and liner back 800B (7B) of the buttock enhancing liner, which is integrated within a legging constructed using front portion 900F, back portion 900B, mid-portion 900M, and lower leg portion 900L (7C).

FIGS. 8A-8C provides front, rear and side views (8A, 8B and 8C, respectively) of high waist shorts 144 with lining 40 having gel insert 43.

FIGS. 9A-9C provides front, rear and side views (9A, 9B and 9C, respectively) of high waist capris 155 with lining 40 having gel insert 43.

FIGS. 10A-10C provides front, rear and side views (10A, 10B and 10C, respectively) of mid-rise waist boot cut 166 jean with lining 40 having gel pad insert 43.

FIG. 11A-11C provides front, rear and side views (11A, 11B and 11C, respectively) of mid-rise waist skirt 177 with a form-fitting, buttock enhancing liner of the invention.

FIGS. 12A-12C provides front, rear and side views (12A, 12B and 12C, respectively) of mid-rise waist leggings 188 with a form-fitting, buttock enhancing liner of the invention.

FIG. 13A-13C provides front, rear and side views (13A, 13B and 13C, respectively) views of high waist ultra-wide flare jean 199 with a form-fitting, buttock enhancing liner of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides facile means for immediately enhancing an individual's physical appearance and body shape. The invention is based on the discovery of a garment that can enhance the wearer's buttocks by adding shape to the buttocks of the wearer. Thus, the invention provides a form-fitting garment configured to enhance the buttocks of the wearer.

A garment of the invention includes a pair of buttock overlay portions sized and positioned to overlay the buttocks of the wearer. The buttock overlay portions are constructed of material having a level of compression, fabric weight, thickness, or a combination thereof that differs from that of material in adjoining portions of the garment.

A garment of the invention also includes a pair of buttock support bands disposed beneath the buttock overlay portions and are sized and positioned to overlay a portion of a wearer's body beneath each buttock so as to apply compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock. The buttock support bands are constructed of materials having a higher level of compression and/or fabric weight than that of the buttock overlay portions. As such, the buttock support bands apply greater compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock than that applied by the buttock overlay portions to the wearer's buttocks thereby providing support and/or adding lift to the buttocks.

As used herein, the term “enhance” or “enhancing” in reference to enhancing the buttocks means to provide support to the buttocks, to lift the buttocks, and/or to add curvature or shape to the buttocks.

As used herein, the term “garment” means any clothing worn on the body including garments that cover the lower body or pelvic portion of the body. The term garment includes outer garments and undergarments. A garment can be: pants such as dress slacks, jeans, leggings, capris; shorts, skirts or skorts such as athletic and non-athletic shorts or skorts, pencil skirts, tennis skirts, golf skirts, swim skirts or shorts; and undergarments such as underwear, pantyhose, tights, and the like that cover the pelvic area, the lower torso or upper and lower torso. A garment of the invention can be of various styles and cut and includes a garment in which the waist is v-cut, mid-rise or high waist. A garment of the invention can be form fitting or have a loose fit so long as the portion of the garment covering the pelvic/buttocks area of the wearer is form fitting so as to provide support and enhance the buttocks as described herein. A garment of the invention can be of various sizes, including, for example, petite, regular, tall and maternity sizes in extra extra small (XXS), extra small (XS), small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra large (XL), extra extra large (XXL), extra extra extra large (XXXL), extra extra extra extra large (XXXXL), as further summarized in the tables below.

Size*	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL
US	0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
Waist (in.)	23	24	25	26	27	28	29.5	31	32.5	34.5	35.5	36.5	37.5
Hip (in.)	33.5	34.5	35.5	36.5	37.5	38.5	40	41.5	43	45	47	49	51

Legging Inseam*
	Capri	Short	Regular	Tall
	24 in.	26-28 in.	28-30 in.	31-34 in.
	*in. is inches

A buttock-enhancing garment of the invention can be an undergarment. For example, underwear can be constructed to include a buttock-supporting band portion and a buttock-overlaying portion in which the buttock-supporting band portion applies a higher level of compression to the body area beneath the wearer's buttocks than the level of compression applied by the buttock-overlaying portion to the wearer's buttocks.

A buttock-enhancing garment of the invention can be an integrated garment in which a garment that is typically worn over an undergarment is constructed to include a buttock-enhancing underportion or liner that has a buttock support band and a buttock overlay portion. In other words, a buttock enhancing garment of the invention can be integrated into a pair of leggings, a pair of form-fitting or loose fit pants or shorts, or integrated into a loose fit or form-fitting skirt, to form an integrated garment in which the buttock enhancing component functions as a liner beneath the visible portion of the integrated garment worn between the skin and the visible portion of the integrated garment. As such, the buttock enhancing component or liner of the integrated garment can be attached to the visible garment portion using any known method and/or at any convenient location. For example, the buttock-enhancing component or liner can be stitched to the visible garment portion of the integrated garment at their waist openings thereby forming a single waist or waistband. Where part of an integrated garment, the liner can be attached to the visible portion of the integrated garment at any convenient location including through their central front and rear seems, at the side seems, at their waist openings, at their leg openings or any combination thereof. In these embodiments, the visible portion of the integrated garment can have a loose-fit or can be form fitting, while the liner is forming fitting.

Non-limiting examples of an integrated garment of the invention with forming fitting buttock enhancing liner having a buttock overlay portion and a buttock support band include the following: a pair of trousers, a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shorts, a pair of full length leggings, a pair of capri length leggings, a pair of ankle length leggings, a pair of tights, a bikini bottom, a one piece swimsuit, a skirt, a tennis skirt, a golf skirt, a pair of maternity trousers, a pair of maternity denim jeans, a pair of maternity shorts, a pair of full length maternity leggings, a pair of capri length maternity leggings, a pair of ankle length maternity leggings, a pair of maternity tights, a maternity bikini bottom, a maternity one piece swimsuit, a maternity skirt, a maternity golf skirt, or a maternity tennis skirt.

A buttock-enhancing garment of the invention also can be a standalone garment typically worn over underwear that is integrally constructed to include buttock overlay portions and buttock support bands.

Buttock Overlay Portion

A buttock overlay portion in a garment of the invention is the portion of the garment that is sized and positioned to overlay at least a portion of a buttock of the body of the wearer. The buttock overlay portion can be constructed of a light or mild compression material that applies a lower level of compression than the level of compression applied by adjacent garment sections to which the buttock overlay portion adjoins.

Material compression levels are known to those skilled in the art and can be light, mild, moderate or strong. See, for example, Liu et al., Fabric Mechanical-Surface Properties of Compression Hosiery and their Effects on Skin Pressure Magnitudes when Worn, FIBRES & TEXTILES IN EASTERN EUROPE 2010, Vol. 18, No. 2 (79), pages 91-97. Some light compression materials can apply between about 10-14 mmHg of pressure and others about 12-16 mmHg of pressure. Examples of fabric weights for light compression materials include weights between about 85-130 grams/m² or between about 45-80 grams/m². Some mild compression materials can apply between about 18-21 mmHg of pressure, and others between about 18-25 mmHg of pressure. Examples of fabric weights for mild compression materials include weights between about 225-270 grams/m² or between about 70-110 grams/m². Some moderate compression materials can apply between about 25-32 mmHg of pressure, and others between about 20-30 mmHg of pressure. Examples of fabric weights for moderate compression materials include weights between about 235-265 grams/m² or between about 225-275 grams/m². Some strong compression materials can apply between about 36-46 mmHg of pressure and others between about 30-40 mmHg of pressure. Examples of fabric weights for strong compression materials include weights between about 360-395 grams/m² or between about 395-475 grams/m².

The buttock overlay portion of a garment of the invention generally has a light to low-mild compression level, for example, below 20 mmHg of pressure or even below 15 mmHg of pressure, with a fabric weight less than about 150 grams/m², for example, between about 30-150 grams/m². In contrast, adjoining sections of a garment of the invention can have a fabric weight greater than 150 grams/m², for example, 150 to 250 grams/m². Thus, a garment of the invention can have a range of fabric weight, for example, between about 30 to about 250 grams/m².

Thus, the buttock overlay portion can be constructed of a looser knit or a lighter weight fabric than adjacent sections of the garment. The buttock overlay portion can be constructed of a different material than the material in adjacent sections of the garment. For example, the buttock overlay portion and adjacent garment sections can be constructed of materials with different spandex contents so as to achieve the different levels of compression. The buttock overlay portion can be attached to adjacent garment sections by stitching or through adhesive bonding. Examples of stitches useful in a garment of the invention include, without limitation, a flatlock or flatseam stitch or a reverse coverstitch, as known in the art.

In some embodiments, the buttock overlay portion of a garment of the invention can be constructed to include a pocket to hold padding material for adding shape and/or curvature to the buttocks of the wearer. Buttock enhancing padding materials include, for example, batting or silicon gel inserts. In some embodiments, the buttock overlay pocket can be constructed with an opening through which buttock enhancing padding material can be inserted or remove by the wearer. Thus, buttock enhancing padding material can be a removeable insert such as a silicon gel insert or a non-removable insert such as cotton batting sewn in place within a pocket forming buttock overlay portion.

Buttock enhancing padding material or insert can be any washable material or, if the insert is removeable, a non-washable material. The size of the buttock enhancing insert can increase in size proportionately with the size of the garment. Inserts can have thickness of, for example: about ¼ inches, about ⅓ inches, about ½ inches, about ⅔ inches, about ¾ inches, about 1 inches, about 1¼ inches, about 1⅓ inches, about 1½ inches, about 1⅔ inches, about 1¾ inches, and about 2 inches. As used herein, the term “about” in reference to a recited quantity means within 10%, or between 90% and 110%, of the recited quantity. Inserts can have a width or diameter of, for example: about 5½ inches, about 5¾ inches, about 6 inches, about 6¼ inches, about 6½ inches, about 6¾ inches, about 7 inches, about 7¼ inches, about 7½ inches, about 7¾ inches and about 8 inches.

Where the pocket overlay portion is constructed with a pocket for holding padding material, the fabric weight of the material forming the pocket can be of any compression level, e.g. light or mild, or fabric weight, as needed to support the padding material or removable insert and hold it in position.

Buttock Support Band

The buttocks and/or buttock overlay portions can be supported using a pair of buttock-support bands. A buttock support band in a garment of the invention is a portion of the garment sized and positioned to overlay a portion of the body of the wearer beneath a buttock of the wearer to apply compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock to further support or enhance the buttocks. The buttock support bands are configured to apply compression to the body area beneath the buttocks so as to support or lift the buttocks above.

The buttock-supporting band can be more tightly knitted or differently knitted than the other sections of the garment so as to exhibit greater compression, or it can be constructed of a different or heavier material than that used in adjoining sections of the garment such as the buttock overlay portion.

Where the buttock support bands are constructed using material having a greater level of compression than that of adjacent sections of the garment, the buttock support bands materials generally have a mild to low-moderate compression level, for example, at least about 15 mmHg of pressure or between about 15-20 mmHg of pressure or higher, with a fabric weight that is at least about 150 grams/m², for example, between about 150-250 grams/m². Adjacent sections in a garment of the invention, for example, the buttock overlay portions or other sections of the garment can have a lower compression level, for example, below 15 mmHg of pressure, with a lower fabric weight, for example, less than about 150 grams/m² or between about 30 to 150 grams/m². In general, the buttock overlay sections can be formed with fabric having a first level of compression, while the buttock support bands can be formed with fabric having a second level of compression, the first level of compression being lower than the second level of compression thereby enabling the garment to provide lift and/or support to enhance the buttocks.

In some embodiments, the buttock support bands can include a tubular pocket for insertion of padding material or a flexible wire to provide additional support and lift to the buttocks. An example of a wire that can be used to support and/or provide lift to the buttocks is a flexible wire similar to those used in underwire bras. The underwire insert can be a galvanized flat wire or rust resistant steel with plastic coated dip tips, and can be washable.

Materials & Fabric Content

A garment of the invention is constructed of materials having regions of tighter or softer stretch, regions of lighter or heavier fabric, regions of varying compression levels or regions of different thicknesses so as to provide for (1) a pair of buttock overlay portions that reveal or add to the natural curve of the wearer; and (2) a pair of buttock support band that support and/or lifts the buttocks of the wearer. A garment of the invention can be in the form of an undergarment worn beneath surface clothing, an integrated garment in which a form fitting, buttock enhancing liner portion with buttock overlay portions and buttock support bands is attached underneath a garment typically worn over undergarments, or a stand alone garment in which the buttock overlay portions and buttock support bands are integral to the visible garment, i.e. integrally formed with the garment.

Materials or fabrics that can be used to construct a garment of the invention include, without limitation: spandex, elastane yarns, lycra, cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon, viscose, Dry Fit polyester, bamboo, supplex, tactel, organic cotton, tencel, polyamide, Power Net, Power Mesh, leg elastic, Revolutional Slim (anti-cellulite fabric), or any combination thereof. A garment of the invention can be produced from fabric having the forgoing material at about the following percentages: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100. A garment of the invention can be produced from fabric having spandex, elastane, Italian lycra, spandura, equestrian lycra, wicking lycra, cotton lycra, supplex lycra, super stretch spandex, Poly Net, Poly Mesh, and leg elastic at about the following percentages, for example: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40.

In general, the materials discussed herein can be used in percentages ranging from 1% to 100% for both the lining and the garment.

Specific embodiments of the invention are described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES

An embodiment of a garment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, which provides a view of garment 10. Garment 10 includes a pair of buttock-overlay portions 12 sized and positioned to cover the wearer's buttocks. Buttock-overlay portion 12 is constructed of a light stretch mesh material, which can be, for example, 84% Nylon/16% Spandex, 80% Nylon/20% Spandex, 74% Nylon/26% Spandex, or 72% Nylon/28% Spandex, to minimize compressing the natural shape of the wearer's buttocks. Garment 10 also includes a pair of buttock-support band 14, each adjoining the lower portion of buttock-overlay portion 12. The buttock-support bands are constructed of a tighter and/or heavier material that provides greater compression to the area beneath the buttocks than that provided by the buttock-overlay portions to the buttocks thereby supporting and/or adding lift to the buttocks. Portions of garment 10 adjoining the buttock-overlay portions 12 and/or buttock-support bands 14 can be composed of any material including materials similarly to or the same as materials forming the buttock-support bands 14. Buttock-overlay portions 12 and buttock-support bands 14 are secured one to the other and/or to adjoining portions of the garment through stitching, for example, a flat lock stitch.

A similar embodiment of a garment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which provides a front and a rear view of garment 10B. Garment 10B includes tummy-control band 14F disposed on front of garment 10B, buttock-overlay portions 22 and buttock-support bands 24 disposed on rear. Garment 10B is constructed of a knit material, which can be, for example, a compression performance power mesh made of 74% Nylon/26% Spandex, 84% Nylon/16% Spandex, 80% Nylon/20% Spandex, in which the buttock-support bands are constructed of a tighter knit material than the buttock-overlay portion 22 or other adjacent or adjoining portions of the garment. Portions of garment 10B having different compression levels can be attached through stitching or formed by gradient stitching methods known to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another similar embodiment of the invention. Garment 20 is constructed from one piece of knit material, with a single seam in the inner leg and crotch area. The knit material is manipulated by specialty knitting machines to alter the stretch or compression level of the garment material as known in the art thereby resulting in regions of softer or lighter stretch and regions of heavier or tighter stretch. Garment 20 includes tummy-control band 24F on its front, which is a region of tighter stretch relative to the stretch in adjacent portions of garment 20 thereby providing a greater level of support where needed and less compression in other areas so as to enhance the wearer's curve. The rear of garment 20 includes buttock-overlay portions 22, which is a region of softer, lighter, or lower compression knit that allow the wearer's curves to come through. The rear of garment 20 also includes buttock-support band 25B, which optionally, can be constructed with a pocket for inserting an underwire or additional padding materials to provide additional support or lift to the buttocks. Garment 20 can be constructed in a short length with leg openings represented by dash line 28S, or in a longer length with leg openings represented by dash line 28R. Garment 20 can be constructed with a low waist represented by dash line 26L, a mid-rise waist represented by dash line 26M, or with a high waist represented by dash line 26H.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the buttock-overlay portion includes an buttock-enhancing insert. Garment 40 is constructed using several layers of mesh material. Garment 40 includes outer mesh layer 40F in the front and outer mesh layer 40B in the rear as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Garment 40 includes tummy panel 44F on its front underneath outer mesh layer 40F to support the wearer's tummy. Panel 44F extends downwardly to the crotch area and laterally to the rear forming pocket flaps 44B. Panel 44F and pocket flaps 44B are constructed of a material such as 83% Polyester/17% Elastane, 82% Polyester/18% Elastane or 74% Polyester/26% Elastane, which provides light and comfortable control, as well as a smooth appearance.

A second layer of mesh material (not shown) is disposed underneath rear outer mesh layer 40B. A pocket is stitched to form buttock overlay pocket 42 for holding a buttock-enhancing insert, for example, silicon gel 43. Garment 40 can be constructed in a short length with leg openings represented by dash line 48S, or in a longer length with leg openings represented by dash line 48R. Garment 40 can be constructed with a low waist represented by dash line 46L, a mid-rise waist represented by dash line 46M, or with a high waist represented by dash line 46H.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of garment 60 as viewed from the inner rear side of garment 60. Garment 60 includes buttock-overlay pocket 62 configured to receive a buttock-enhancing insert 63 such as a gel pad, which can be held in place by a bottom seam that form pocket 62. A pair of small openings 67 is formed at the seams joining buttock-overlay pocket 62 to bottom of waistband 66 to allow a gel pad or other padding material 63 to be inserted. Garment 60 can be utilized as a liner underneath another garment, garment 60 being secured along its side and center back seam to the other garment to form an integrated lined garment. The side seam can be a side design stitch, which can be any variation f straight, angle or curved stitch. The bottom of the lining also can be secured to the other garment using a design stitching. The front and back waistband of the integrated garment can have an extra lining to add firmness and stretch to control the tummy area.

FIGS. 6A-6C provide fabric components that can be used to construct a garment of the invention integrated as a liner for a legging. FIG. 6A illustrates the shape of buttock-overlay piece 600P. FIG. 6B illustrates the piece of material forming the front 600F and rear 600B of the pelvic portion of the liner. FIG. 6C illustrate the pieces of material forming the front and rear pelvic portions 700F and 700B, respectively, of one side of a legging, in particular, legging 700, as well as the pieces of material forming the mid-leg portion 700M and lower leg portion 700L of one side of legging 700.

Buttock-overlay piece 600P (FIG. 6A) is stitched to front and back pelvic piece 600F/600B (FIG. 6B) by joining edges 624p and 626p of piece 600P with edges 614p and 616P of front and back pelvic piece 600F/600B to form lining portion of the integrated garment.

Legging front and rear pelvic pieces 700F and 700B are joined one to the other at edges 712f and 712b. Front and rear pelvic pieces 700F and 700B are joined to mid-leg pieces 700M by stitching edges 713f and 714l to edge 715 of mid-leg piece 700M. Mid-leg piece 700M is stitched to lower leg piece 700L through joining edges 717 and 719. The resulting subassembly forms one side of a legging, and two such subassemblies can be attached to form legging 700. More specifically, edge 706c of a first subassembly can be attached to edge 706c of a second subassembly thereby forming the central front seam. Edge 708c of the first subassembly can be attached to edge 708c of the second subassembly thereby forming the central rear seam. Each leg is formed through attaching edges 710f, 710m, and 710l of a subassembly to edges 714b, 714m and 714l, respectively, of the same subassembly.

The lining portion and legging portion of the integrated garment can be attached one to the other at any convenient location including for example, through their waist openings formed by edges 602w, 603w, 702w and 704w.

FIGS. 7A-7C provide fabric components that can be used to construct a garment of the invention integrated as a liner for a legging, the liner having a buttock-overlay pocket for a buttock enhancing insert. FIG. 7A illustrates the shape of buttock-overlay piece 800P. FIG. 7B illustrates the piece of material forming the front 800F and rear 800B of the pelvic portion of the liner. FIG. 6C illustrate the pieces of material forming the front and rear pelvic portions 900F and 900B, respectively, of one side of a legging, in particular, legging 900, as well as the pieces of material forming the mid-leg portion 900M and lower leg portion 900L of one side of legging 900.

Buttock-overlay piece 800P (FIG. 7A), forming a pocket for holding a buttock-enhancing insert, is stitched to front and back pelvic piece 800F/800B (FIG. 7B) by joining their curved edges to form a lining portion of the integrated garment.

Legging front and rear pelvic pieces 900F and 900B are joined one to the other at edges 912f and 912b. Front and rear pelvic pieces 900F and 900B are joined to mid-leg pieces 900M by stitching edges 913f and 914l to edge 915 of mid-leg piece 900M. Mid-leg piece 900M is stitched to lower leg piece 900L through joining edges 917 and 919. The resulting subassembly forms one side of a legging, and two such subassemblies can be attached to form legging 900. More specifically, edge 906c of a first subassembly can be attached to edge 906c of a second subassembly thereby forming the central front seam. Edge 908c of the first subassembly can be attached to edge 908c of the second subassembly thereby forming the central rear seam. Each leg is formed through attaching edges 910f, 910m, and 910l of a subassembly to edges 914b, 914m and 914l, respectively, of the same subassembly.

The lining portion and legging portion of the integrated garment can be attached one to the other at any convenient location including for example, through their waist openings formed by edges 902w, 903w, 802w and 804w.

Additional examples of integrated garments of the invention are illustrated the following FIGS. 8A-8C, 9A-9C, 10A-10C, 11A-11C, 12A-12C, and 13A-13C. For example, a garment of the invention with buttock-enhancing pad is utilized as a liner underneath mid-rise waist shorts 144 (FIGS. 8A-8C), as a liner for high waist capris 155 (FIGS. 9A-9C), and as a liner underneath mid-rise waist boot cut jeans 166 (FIGS. 10A-10C). Similarly, a garment of the invention with a buttock-overlay portion and buttock-support band, optionally with underwire support, is utilized as a liner underneath mid-rise skirt 177 (FIGS. 11A-11C), as a liner for mid-rise waist leggings 188 (FIGS. 12A-12C), and as a liner underneath high waist ultra-wide flare jeans 199 (FIGS. 13A-13C).

Other Embodiments of the Invention

The materials, methods, examples and embodiments described herein are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention. The invention described herein may be practiced in the absence of any element or limitation that is not specifically disclosed as essential. The methods described herein may be practiced in differing orders of steps. Any combination of elements described herein that does not render the invention inoperable as apparent from context, this specification and to those skilled in the art is included within the scope of the invention. The invention also has been described broadly and generically herein. Each narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure form part of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “about” in reference to a numeric value means within 10% of the specified value. A number is “about” a reference value if the number is within a range that is + or −10% of the reference value.

Claims

1. A form-fitting garment configured to enhance the buttocks of the wearer, the garment comprising a pair of buttock overlay portions sized and positioned to overlay the buttocks of the wearer, the buttock overlay portions comprising material having a level of compression, fabric weight, thickness, or a combination thereof that differs from that of material in adjoining portions of the garment.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the buttock overlay portions are stitched to adjoining portions of the garment.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the buttock overlay portions are attached to adjoining portions of the garment using a flat lock stitch.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the level of compression, fabric weight, or both level of compression and fabric weight of the buttock overlay portions are lower than that of adjoining portions of the garment.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the buttock overlay portions comprises a stretch mesh fabric.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the buttock overlay portions comprises a pocket within which padding material is disposed thereby adding thickness to the buttock overlay portion relative to that of adjacent portions of the garment.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the padding material is a removable insert.

8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the padding material comprises batting.

9. The garment of claim 6, wherein the padding material comprises silicon gel, polyurethane foam rubber, or a combination thereof.

10. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a pair of buttock support bands disposed beneath the buttock overlay portions of the garment, the buttock support bands being sized and positioned to overlay a portion of a wearer's body beneath each buttock so as to apply compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock, the buttock support bands comprising materials having a higher level of compression and/or fabric weight than that of the buttock overlay portions, the buttock support bands applying greater compression to the portion of the wearer's body beneath each buttock than that applied by the buttock overlay portions to the wearer's buttocks.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein each of the buttock support bands comprises a tubular pocket within which a flexible wire is inserted to form an underwire supporting each buttock.

12. The garment of claim 10, wherein each of the buttock support bands comprises material having a compression level of at least about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight at least between about 150 to about 250 grams/meter2.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein each of the buttock overlay portions comprises material having a compression level less than about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight less than about 150 grams/meter2.

14. The garment of claim 1, which comprises a first material forming the buttock overlay portions and a second material forming the adjoining portions of the garment to which the buttock overlay portions are stitched, the first material comprising a lower level of compression and/or a lower fabric weight than that of the second material, the second material forming the remaining portion of the garment.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the first material comprises a light compression level of less than about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight less than about 150 grams/meter2, and the second material comprises a mild compression level of at least about 15 mmHg and/or a fabric weight at least about 150 to about 250 grams/meter2.

16. The garment of claim 14, which comprises a single layer of fabric.

17. The garment of claim 1, which comprises spandex, super stretch spandex, elastane, lycra, equestrian lycra, wicking lycra, cotton lycra, supplex lycra, polyester, dry fit polyester, nylon, cotton, organic cotton, wool, rayon, viscose, bamboo, supplex, tactel, tencel, polyamide, power net, poly net, power mesh, poly mesh, leg elastic, spandura, or a combination thereof.

18. An integrated garment comprising a visible portion under which the garment of claim 1 is attached so as to form a buttock enhancing liner for the visible portion of the garment.

19. The integrated garment of claim 18, wherein the visible portion and liner are attached at their waist openings, front central seam, rear central seam, a side seam, a seam at the leg opening, or any combination thereof.

20. The integrated garment of claim 18, wherein the visible portion is a pair of trousers, a pair of denim jeans, a pair of shorts, a pair of full length leggings, a pair of capri length leggings, a pair of ankle length leggings, a pair of tights, a bikini bottom, a one piece swimsuit, a skirt, a tennis skirt, a golf skirt, a pair of maternity trousers, a pair of maternity denim jeans, a pair of maternity shorts, a pair of full length maternity leggings, a pair of capri length maternity leggings, a pair of ankle length maternity leggings, a pair of maternity tights, a maternity bikini bottom, a maternity one piece swimsuit, a maternity skirt, a maternity golf skirt, or a maternity tennis skirt.