ABDOMINAL-RESTRAINT GARMENT COMPRISING A FIRST ELASTIC SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND A SECOND ELASTIC SUPPORT STRUCTURE, AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to abdominal-restraint garments comprising a lower-body garment, a first elastic support structure comprising an elastomer, and a second elastic support structure comprising the elastomer. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at a waistband of the lower-body garment, a first lateral edge attached to a first sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a first medial edge attached to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the second elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at the waistband of the lower-body garment, a second lateral edge attached to a second sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a second medial edge attached to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment. The present disclosure also relates to methods of assembling the abdominal-restraint garments disclosed herein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/533,538, filed Nov. 5, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/899,926, filed Nov. 5, 2013. Each of these applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to clothing, and in particular to support garments. The present disclosure also relates to methods of assembling the garments disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

Many people seek garments that provide additional shapeliness to their figures, or that alleviate problems with the appearance of the abdominal area protruding visibly through their clothing, especially the lower abdominals. Designers have produced a variety of garments and undergarments designed to help conceal and restrain areas of the abdominals, attempting to smooth and flatten the appearance of the garment wearer's abdominals and conceal undesirable bulges of abdominal fat. However, a continuing need exists for improved garments that provide shapeliness or that can restrain, smooth, and conceal areas of the abdominals.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are abdominal-restraint garments comprising a lower-body garment, a first elastic support structure comprising an elastomer, and a second elastic support structure comprising the elastomer. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at a waistband of the lower-body garment, a first lateral edge attached to a first sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a first medial edge attached to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the second elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at the waistband of the lower-body garment, a second lateral edge attached to a second sideseam of the lower-body garment, and a second medial edge attached to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and the second elastic support structure are configured to extend across and compress a portion of the garment-wearer's lower abdominal region.

The lower-body garment can be a pair of pants, jeans, a pair of shorts, a skirt, leggings, or tights. The lower-body garment can comprise denim, twill, woven fabric, or knit fabric. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment comprises a closure comprising a zipper.

The first elastic support structure can be further attached to the lower-body garment at a first pocket seam. The second elastic support structure can be further attached to the lower-body garment at a second pocket seam. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises inferior edges that are not attached to the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a double-layer of fabric with elastic stitched between the two layers. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a single layer of fabric.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can be attached to the lower-body garment using one of a group consisting of sewing, adhering, heat sealing, welding, gluing, bonding, laser cutting, and combinations thereof. The first elastic support structure and second elastic support structure can have a higher elasticity than the lower-body garment. In some embodiments, the elastomer includes spandex. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 50%-85% nylon and 15%-50% spandex.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric that is from 146 grams per square meter to 220 grams per square meter. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a maximum side shrinkage of 5%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a maximum warp shrinkage of 6%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having an elongation of 100% to 136% in warp stretch at a 10-pound load against ASTM D44964. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having an elongation of 70% to 99% in weft stretch at a 10-pound load against ASTM D44964. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 42 to 50 wales per inch. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 70 to 89 courses per inch.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric having a modulus in warp of 0.5 to 1.27 at 40%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 1.3 to 2.25 at 60%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 2 to 3.45 at 80%. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric having a modulus in weft of 0.4 to 1.27 at 40%. In Some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in weft of 1.3 to 2.25 at 60%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in weft of 3.8 to 5 at 80%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 0.36 to 0.76 at 40% in warp. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 0.98 to 1.98 at 60% in warp. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 2.49 to 5.79 at 80% in warp.

Also disclosed herein is a method of assembling an abdominal-restraint garment, the method comprising attaching a first superior edge of a first elastic support structure to a waistband of a lower-body garment, attaching a first lateral edge of the first elastic support structure to a first sideseam of the lower-body garment, attaching a first medial edge of the first elastic support structure to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment, attaching a second superior edge of a second elastic support structure to the waistband of the lower body garment, attaching a second lateral edge of the second elastic support structure to a second sideseam of the lower-body garment, and attaching a second medial edge of the second elastic support structure to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of a pair of pants of one embodiment of an abdominal-restraint garment turned inside-out, wherein the abdominal-restraint garment comprises a first elastic support structure and a second elastic support structure, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a first elastic support structure and a second elastic support structure disclosed herein.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are abdominal-restraint garments comprising a lower-body garment, a first elastic support structure comprising an elastomer, and a second elastic support structure comprising the elastomer, and methods of assembling the same. Generally, the elastic support structures extend from opposite sides (one on each side) of a closure seam (such as a zipper seam) of the lower body garment (such as a pair of pants). The elastic support structures extend laterally from the seam along an abdominal region of the wearer to attach to an inner portion of the lower body garment. Advantageously, the elastic support structures are composed of a wash-resistant material containing an elastomer. For instance, the wash resistant material includes a spandex/nylon composition.

As depicted in FIG. 1, support structures 20 a/b are attached to lower-body garment 10 in the form of a pair of pants. The lateral edges 23 a/b of the support structures 20 a/b can be attached to an inner portion of the lower-body garment 10, such as at the sideseams 13 a/b of the lower-body garment. The medial edges 21 a/b of the support structures 20 a/b can be attached to the closure seams 14 a/b of the lower-body garment. The superior edges 22 a/b of the support structures 20 a/b can be attached to the waistband 11 of the lower-body garment 10. The inferior edges 24 a/b of the support structures 20 a/b are, in some embodiments, not attached to the lower-body garment 10. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment 10 is further attached to the support structures 20 20 a/b by pocket seams 31 a/b, forming pocket areas 30 a/b. The inferior edges 24 a/b of the support structures 20 a/b can be attached to the lower-body garment or not attached to the lower-body garment. The support structures 20 a/b are smaller (by, for instance, 8-50% or by 1 inch in width, height, or both) than a corresponding area on the lower-body garment 10 (i.e., the areas from the sideseams 13 a/b to the closure seams 14 a/b, with an upper 25 boundary at the waistband 11, and the lower boundary such that it would cover a garment wearer's lower abdominal region or extend slightly onto the upper thigh). Accordingly, the smaller support structures 20 a/b provide additional compression when the garment is worn, stretching to be of, for instance, equivalent size of the corresponding area when worn.

The abdominal-restraint garments disclosed herein can be any lower-body garment wherein additional shapeliness or restraining, smoothing, or concealing of areas of the abdominals could be desirable. In some embodiments, the abdominal-restraint garment is a pair of pants, jeans, a pair of shorts, a skirt, leggings, or tights. FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the abdominal-restraint garments described herein.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the abdominal-restraint garment 1 disclosed herein comprises a lower-body garment 10 in the form of a pair of pants, a first elastic support structure 20a, and a second elastic support structure 20b. The first elastic support structure 20a and the second elastic support structure 20b are attached to the lower-body garment 10, forming a one-piece abdominal-restraint garment 1 that smoothes, restrains, or conceals areas of the abdominals of the garment wearer without the need for wearing a separate shapewear piece (e.g., panty-hose, control-top underwear, etc.) and an outer wear piece (e.g., pants, jeans, skirt, leggings, etc.). Additionally, the convenient one-piece abdominal-restraint garment 1 can be easier for the garment wearer to put on and take off than separate shapewear pieces and outer-wear pieces (e.g., while dressing for the day or during bathroom breaks during the day).

The lower-body garment can comprise any fabric known in the art for use on the lower body. The lower-body garment can comprise a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a blended fabric. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment comprises denim, twill, woven fabric, or knit fabric. Exemplary lower-body garments can comprise, for example, cotton, leather, faux leather, suede, faux suede, polyester, denim, twill, tweed, wood pulp, bamboo, corn fibers, leaves, moleskin, barkcloth, barathea, silk, rayon, nylon, wool, batiste, Bedford cord, bengaline, acetate, berber fleece, burlap, flannel, canvas, lace, goat skin, satin, sateen, charmeuse, cheesecloth, corduroy, linen, crinoline, velvet, spandex, animal pelts, faux animal pelts, jersey, terry cloth, velour, velveteen, nonwoven fabrics such as felt, and blends thereof. The lower-body garment can comprise any number of layers of fabric. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment comprises one layer. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment comprises two layers. The lower-body garment can comprise, for instance, a bonded fabric comprising two or more layers joined together with, for instance, an adhesive, resin, foam, fusible membrane, or sewn together. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower-body garment 10 can comprise a waistband 11, a closure 12, a first side seam 13a, a second side seam 13b, a first closure seam 14a, a second closure seam 14b, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment 10 comprises a closure 12 that comprises a zipper.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can be made of any fabric containing an elastomer that is capable of restraining, smoothing, and/or concealing undesirable bulges of the abdominal area, and that is also capable of withstanding repeated washings. Fabrics for use in the support structures can withstand repeated washings on non-delicate cycles (such as a standard pair of jeans might withstand). The fabrics for use in the support structures, in some embodiments, do not fade during standard washings. In some embodiments, the fabrics used in the support structures maintain structural integrity (i.e., do not deteriorate) and stretch/compression capabilities during standard washings. Fabrics for use in the support structures may also withstand the bleaching and/or treatment steps that, for instance, a pair of denim jeans might undergo to provide a specific look to the jeans (e.g., “wash down” the denim to, for instance, intentionally fade the color of the denim jeans, where a “light wash” keeps the denim relatively dark, a “medium wash” makes the denim a bit lighter, and a “heavy wash” makes the denim much lighter in color). The fabrics for use in the support structures, in some embodiments, do not fade during wash down. In some embodiments, the fabrics used in the support structures maintain structural integrity and stretch/compression capabilities during wash down. The structural integrity (or lack of deterioration) can be determined by viewing microscopic images of the support structures before and after standard washing or wash down.

In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure has a higher elasticity than the lower-body garment.

The first elastic support structure and second elastic support structure comprise an elastomer. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a blend thereof. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises spandex. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a spandex blend. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a polyester/spandex blend. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure comprises nylon. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 75% or less of spandex (e.g., 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 5% or greater of spandex (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, or 60% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 90% or less of nylon (e.g., 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 5% or greater of nylon (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, 60% or greater, 65% or greater, 70% or greater, 75% or greater, 80% or greater, or 85% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 40% or less of polyester (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 5% or greater of polyester (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a spandex/nylon blend. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises from 50% to 85% nylon and from 15% to 50% spandex.

In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises modal, rayon, and spandex. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises cotton. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a cotton blend. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can include any of the fabrics described above for the lower-body garment. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can be made, for instance, by circular knitting, warp knitting, or any weaving or knitting technique known in the art. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure has varied properties. For instance, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can have a gradient of elasticity, horizontally or vertically across the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a denser fabric at certain locations (e.g., at the lateral edges, at the top, at the bottom, in the center). The composition of the fabric in the support structures can be varied to increase or decrease the amount of compression provided by the garment.

Additionally, the size and shape of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can be varied to increase or decrease the amount of compression provided by the abdominal-restraint garment. For instance, the smaller support structures of the present disclosure stretch more during use than a larger support structure, allowing the smaller support structures to provide more compression against the garment-wearer's abdominal region during wear. As mentioned above, the support structures are 8% to 50% smaller than the corresponding area of the lower-body garment when the garment is not being worn; then, when the garment is worn, the support structures stretch to be equivalent (or nearly equivalent) to the corresponding areas on the lower-body garment (as described above); this extra tension provided by the support structures provides additional compression. In other instances, the shape of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure may provide more targeted compression in certain regions to help give the garment wearer a specific effect (e.g., to accentuate the hour-glass figure, or add additional compression at the waist, or to have less compression at the waist to reduce the “muffin-top” effect). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure has lateral edges and medial edges that taper inward at the top, such that the superior edge of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure is shorter than the inferior edge of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure. In some embodiments, the lateral edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are straight. In some embodiments, the lateral edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are curved. In some embodiments, the medial edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are straight. In some embodiments, the medial edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are curved. In some embodiments, the superior edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are straight. In some embodiments, the superior edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are curved. In some embodiments, the inferior edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are straight. In some embodiments, the inferior edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure are curved. In some embodiments, the inferior edges of the support structures are scalloped for comfort so that the support structures do not touch the garment-wearer's upper thigh during wear.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise any number of layers of fabric. The number of layers of fabric can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of concealing, restraining, and smoothing of the abdominal area provided by the abdominal-restraint garment. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises one layer. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises two layers. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise, for instance, a bonded fabric comprising two or more layers joined together with, for instance, an adhesive, resin, foam, or fusible membrane. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a double layer with sandwiched elastic. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a single layer with no elastic. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first elastic support structure 20a can have a first medial edge 21a, a first superior edge 22a, a first lateral edge 23a, a first inferior edge 24a, or combinations thereof. As also depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second elastic support structure 20a can have a second medial edge 21a, a second superior edge 22a, a second lateral edge 23a, a second inferior edge 24a, or combinations thereof.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can be attached to the lower-body garment by any means capable of attaching garment layers together. In some embodiments, the lower-body garment is attached by sewing, adhering, zipping, buttoning, snapping, heat sealing, welding, gluing, bonding, laser cutting, and combinations thereof.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can have various properties that allow the structures to conceal, restrain, and/or smooth abdominal area. The support structures can have any fabric weight that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric that is 146 grams per square meter (gsm) or greater (e.g., 150 gsm or greater, 160 gsm or greater, 170 gsm or greater, 180 gsm or greater, 190 gsm or greater, 200 gsm or greater, 210 gsm or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric that is 220 gsm or less (e.g., 210 gsm or less, 200 gsm or less, 190 gsm or less, 180 gsm or less, 170 gsm or less, 160 gsm or less, 150 gsm or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric that is from 146 gsm to 220 gsm (e.g., 165 gsm to 201 gsm). The amount of compression provided by the garment can be varied by varying the garment weight (in gsm). In some embodiments when garments having greater concealing, smoothing, or restraining of the abdominal area is desired, a higher weight garment can be used. The compression provided by a garment can be measured, for instance, by measuring the garment-wearer's body (e.g., waist circumference) unclothed and then measuring the garment-wearer's body while the garment is being worn, and then comparing the two measurements.

The support structures can have any side shrinkage that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side shrinkage of 5% or less (e.g., 4.5% or less, 4% or less, 3.5% or less, 3% or less, 2.5% or less, 2% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side shrinkage of 0.25% or greater (e.g., 0.5% or greater, 0.75% or greater, 1% or greater, 2% or greater, 2.5% or greater, 3% or greater, 3.5% or greater, 4% or greater, or 4.5% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side shrinkage of 0.25% to 5% (e.g., 0.5% to 4.5%, 1% to 4%, 2% to 3%). The shrinkage of fabrics can be measured through AATCC 135-2012, “Dimensional Stability of Fabrics After Home Laundering Test,” (2012).

The support structures can have any warp shrinkage that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp shrinkage of 6% or less (e.g., 5.5% or less, 5% or less, 4.5% or less, 4% or less, 3.5% or less, 3% or less, 2.5% or less, 2% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp shrinkage of 0.25% or greater (e.g., 0.5% or greater, 0.75% or greater, 1% or greater, 2% or greater, 2.5% or greater, 3% or greater, 3.5% or greater, 4% or greater, or 4.5% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp shrinkage of 0.25% to 6% (e.g., 0.5% to 5.5%, 1% to 5%, 2% to 4%). The shrinkage of fabrics can be measured through AATCC 135-2012, “Dimensional Stability of Fabrics After Home Laundering Test,” (2012).

The support structures can have any warp stretch that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. The elongation of the support structures will generally be at least 100% in Warp and at least 70% in Side (Weft) at 10 lb load against ASTM D44964. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of 100% or greater (e.g., 110% or greater, 115% or greater, 120% or greater, 125% or greater, or 130% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of 136% or less (e.g., 130% or less, 125% or less, 120% or less, or 115% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of from 109 to 136 (e.g., 115 to 130, 120 to 125). Warp stretch can be measured according to ASTM D4964-96(2012)e1, titled “Standard Test Method for Tension and Elongation of Elastic Fabrics (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Type Tensile Machine).” The amount of compression provided by the garment can be varied by varying the warp stretch. In some embodiments when garments having greater concealing, smoothing, or restraining of the abdominal area is desired, a higher warp-stretch garment can be used.

The support structures can have any side stretch that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of 70% or greater (e.g., 75% or greater, 85% or greater, 90% or greater, or 95% or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of 99% or less (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, or 82% or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side stretch at 10 pounds load against ASTM D44964 of 70% to 99% (e.g., 75% to 95%, 80% to 90%). Side stretch can be measured according to ASTM D4964-96(2012)e1, titled “Standard Test Method for Tension and Elongation of Elastic Fabrics (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Type Tensile Machine).” The amount of compression provided by the garment can be varied by varying the garment's side stretch. In some embodiments when garments having greater concealing, smoothing, or restraining of the abdominal area is desired, a higher side-stretch garment can be used.

The support structures can have any number of wales per inch (wpi) that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 42 or greater wales per inch (e.g., 47 or greater, 48 or greater, or 49 or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 50 wales per inch or less (e.g., 49 or less, 48 or less, or 47 or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 42 to 50 wales per inch (e.g., 47 to 49, 47.5 to 48.5).

The support structures can have any number of courses per inch (cpi) that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 70 courses per inch or greater (e.g., 82 or greater, 83 or greater, 84 or greater, 85 or greater, 86 or 5 greater, 87 or greater, or 88 or greater). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 89 courses per inch or less (e.g., 88 or less, 87 or less, 86 or less, 85 or less, 84 or less, 83 or less, or 82 or less). In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having 46 to 50 courses per inch (e.g., 81 to 89, 83 to 87).

The support structures can have any modulus that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. Generally, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprise a fabric having a modulus in warp of 0.50 or greater at 40%, 1.3 or greater at 60%, and 2.0 or greater at 80%, and/or a side modulus of 0.40 or greater at 40%, 1.30 or greater at 60%, and 3.8 or greater at 80%.

The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric having a modulus in warp of 0.5 or greater (e.g., 0.55 or greater, 0.6 or greater, 0.65 or greater, 0.7 or greater, 0.8 or greater, 0.9 or greater, 1 or greater, 1.1 or greater, 1.2 or greater) at 40%. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric having a modulus in warp of 1.27 or less (e.g., 1.2 or less, 1.1 or less, 1 or less, 0.9 or less, 0.8 or less, or 0.7 or less) at 40%. The first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure can comprise a fabric having a modulus in warp of 0.5 to 1.27 (e.g., 0.7 to 1.2, 0.8 to 1.1, 0.9 to 1) at 40%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 1.3 or greater (e.g., 1.45 or greater, 1.6 or greater, 1.7 or greater, 1.8 or greater, 1.9 or greater, 2 or greater, 2.1 or greater) at 60%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 2.25 or less (e.g., 2.1 or less, 2 or less, 1.9 or less, 1.8 or less, 1.7 or less, 1.6 or less, 1.5 or less) at 60%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 1.3 to 2.25 (e.g., 1.6 to 2.1, 1.7 to 2) at 60%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 2 or greater (e.g., 2.1 or greater, 2.2 or greater, 2.3 or greater, 2.4 or greater, 2.5 or greater, 2.6 or greater, 2.7 or greater, 2.8 or greater, 2.9 or greater, 3 or greater, 3.1 or greater, 3.2 or greater, 3.3 or greater, or 3.4 or greater) at 80%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 3.45 or less (e.g., 3.4 or less, 3.3 or less, 3.2 or less, 3.1 or less, 3 or less, 2.9 or less, 2.8 or less, 2.7 or less, 2.6 or less, 2.5 or less, 2.4 or less) at 80%. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a modulus in warp of 2 to 3.45 (e.g., 2.4 to 3.3, 2.6 to 3.1) at 80%. The amount of compression provided by the garment can be varied by varying the modulus. In some embodiments when garments having greater concealing, smoothing, or restraining of the abdominal area is desired, a higher modulus garment can be used.

The support structures can have any fiber content that allows adequate concealing, smoothing, and/or restraining of the abdominal area. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 0.36 to 0.76 at 40% in warp stretch. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 0.98 to 1.98 at 60% in warp stretch. In some embodiments, the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a fiber content of 2.49 to 5.79 at 80% in warp stretch.

Also disclosed herein is a method of assembling an abdominal-restraint garment, the method comprising attaching a first superior edge of a first elastic support structure to a waistband of a lower-body garment, attaching a first lateral edge of the first elastic support structure to a first inner portion (e.g., a first sideseam) of the lower-body garment, attaching a first medial edge of the first elastic support structure to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment, attaching a second superior edge of a second elastic support structure to the waistband of the lower-body garment, attaching a second lateral edge of the second elastic support structure to a second inner portion (e.g., a second sideseam) of the lower-body garment, and attaching a second medial edge of the second elastic support structure to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment.

Attaching the lateral edges of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure further back on the lower-body garment (e.g., on the back pockets instead of the side seams) can allow the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure to wrap further around the garment-wearer's body and provide additional compression. The further the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure wraps around garment-wearer's body, the greater the degree of restraint, control, and/or smoothing of the abdominal region and adjacent side regions. Thus, attaching the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure to, for instance, the lateral seams of the back pockets of the lower-body garment can provide a greater degree of restraint, control, and/or smoothing of the abdominal region and adjacent side regions than attaching the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure to the side seams of the lower-body garment. The location of the attachment of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure to the lower-body garment can be varied to provide the amount of control, restraint, and or smoothing desired by the garment wearer. The location of the attachment of the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure to the lower-body garment can be anywhere along the inside of the lower-body garment that would allow for the first elastic support structure to control, restrain, or smooth areas of the abdominals, and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments of attaching at the side seams of the lower-body garment or lateral seams of the back pockets of the lower-body garment. However, the attachment of lateral edges of the first elastic support structure to the lower-body garment is such that the first elastic support structure does not wrap all of the way around the garment-wearer's body.

As noted above, the one-piece abdominal-restraint garments disclosed herein conveniently smooth, control, and restrain the abdominal area of the garment wearer without the need for putting on separate a shape-wear piece (e.g., pantyhose, control-top underwear, etc.) and outer wear piece (e.g., pants, jeans, skirts, leggings, etc.). Additionally, the convenient one-piece abdominal-restraint garment can be easier for the garment wearer to put on and take off than separate shape-wear pieces and outer-wear pieces (for instance, while dressing for the day or during bathroom breaks during the day). The convenient one-piece abdominal-restraint garment can also be a cooler temperature alternative to separate shape-wear pieces and outer-wear pieces, by retaining less body heat of the garment wearer. Further, the inner abdominal-restraint garment can provide comparable control, restraint, and/or smoothing of undesirable abdominal area as is possible with a separate shape-wear-piece, but without causing undesirable riding up or wedgies (i.e., where an undergarment becomes wedged between the garment-wearer's buttocks). The embodiments described herein can provide more comfort, abdominal-area smoothing, concealing, or restraining than other options available in the prior art.

The garments and methods of the appended claims are not limited in scope by the specific garments and methods described herein, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the claims and any garments and methods that are functionally equivalent are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. Various modifications of the garments and methods in addition to those shown and described herein are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, while only certain representative garments and method steps disclosed herein are specifically described, other combinations of the garments and method steps also are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited. Thus, a combination of steps, elements, components, or constituents may be explicitly mentioned herein; however, other combinations of steps, elements, components, and constituents are included, even though not explicitly stated.

The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various embodiments, the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific embodiments of the invention and are also disclosed. Other than in the examples, or where otherwise noted, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood at the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, to be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches

Claims

1. An abdominal-restraint garment comprising:

a lower-body garment;

a first elastic support structure comprising a first gradient of elasticity; and

a second elastic support structure comprising a second gradient of elasticity;

wherein the first elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at a waistband of the lower-body garment, a first lateral edge attached to a first inner portion of the lower-body garment, and a first medial edge attached to a first closure seam of the lower-body garment,

wherein the second elastic support structure has a first superior edge attached to the lower-body garment at the waistband of the lower-body garment, a second lateral edge attached to a second inner portion of the lower-body garment, and a second medial edge attached to a second closure seam of the lower-body garment,

wherein the first elastic support structure and the second elastic support structure are 8% to 50% smaller than a corresponding space in the lower-body garment,

wherein the first elastic support structure and second elastic support structure are configured to extend across and compress a portion of the garment-wearer's abdominal region,

wherein the first elastic support structure is further attached to the lower-body garment along a first pocket seam, the attachment to the first pocket seam extending medially from a first lateral region of the lower-body garment and/or the second elastic support structure is further attached to the lower-body garment along a second pocket seam, the attachment to the second pocket seam extending medially from a second lateral region of the lower-body garment, and

wherein the first pocket seam extends through only the first elastic support structure and the lower-body garment, and/or the second pocket seam extends through only the second elastic support structure and the lower-body garment, and

wherein the attachment of the first and second elastic support structures to the lower-body garment along the first and second pocket seams define a first pocket area and a second pocket area.

2. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first inner portion of the lower-body garment is a first sideseam and/or the second inner portion of the lower-body garment is a second sideseam.

3. (canceled)

4. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the lower-body garment is a pair of pants, jeans, a pair of shorts, a skirt, leggings, or tights.

5. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the lower-body garment comprises denim, twill, woven fabric, or knit fabric.

6. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the lower-body garment comprises a closure comprising a zipper.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises inferior edges that are not attached to the lower-body garment.

10. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a double-layer of fabric.

11. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 10, wherein the double-layer of fabric comprises elastic stitched between the two layers.

12. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a single layer of fabric.

13. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure is attached to the lower-body garment using one of a group consisting of sewing, adhering, heat sealing, welding, gluing, bonding, laser cutting, and combinations thereof.

14. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and second elastic support structure have a higher elasticity than the lower-body garment.

15. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or the second elastic support structure comprises spandex.

16. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises 50%-85% nylon and 15%-50% spandex.

17. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric that is from 146 grams per square meter to 220 grams per square meter.

18. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a maximum side shrinkage of 5%.

19. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a maximum warp shrinkage of 6%.

20. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a warp stretch such that the fabric stretches 109% to 136% under a 10 pound load.

21. The abdominal-restraint garment of claim 1, wherein the first elastic support structure and/or second elastic support structure comprises a fabric having a side stretch of 79% to 99% under a 10 pound load.

22-65. (canceled)