CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/660,504 filed on Apr. 20, 2018. The subject matter of the aforementioned prior application is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a garment which provides support to a woman's abdomen during pregnancy and which helps reduce or prevent leakage through the clothing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pregnancy and stages during postpartum require clothing that is specialized for the changing body of a woman. Specifically, it is important to have clothing which is comfortable throughout the various stages of a changing body while maintaining the aesthetics and quality of the product. The present invention provides a solution to this need.
SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a garment which includes a belly panel, a back panel, a front portion, and a contoured front seamwork positioned between the belly panel and the front portion. The contoured front seamwork attaches the belly panel and the front portion and extends in a U-shape and is formed by flatlock stitching including threads composed of polyester and threads composed of nylon. The contoured seamwork and the front portion are designed to support a protruding belly. The garment can also include an elastic band at a top portion of the garment for better fitting and to hold the garment on the wearer. The garment also includes front waist portions and front leg portions which are joined to each other by a curved seam. The materials that can be used for the fabric of the garment can be one or more of the following: nylon (such as Supplex branded nylon or other types of nylon), spandex (such as Lycra branded spandex or materials containing polyurethane or polyether-polyurea copolymers), polyester (such as Coolmax branded polyester), cotton, rayon, and/or wool. Most, if not all, of the fabrics of the garment are made of a fabric having two or more layers. The crotch area of the garment and/or a bottom portion of the garment includes a water proof layer. Center portions of the garment can also include a water proof layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a front view of a garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the garment according to the present invention showing the location of different layers of fabric.
FIG. 5 shows a back view of the garment according to the present invention showing the location of different layers of fabric.
FIG. 6 shows a partial enlarged front view of the garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged rear view of the garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the garment according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a partial bottom view of the garment according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a garment that can be worn by a woman who is pregnant or who has given birth and the woman's body is changing back to a pre-pregnancy shape. The present invention has a number of advantages including expandability and specialized seamwork to accommodate a changing shape and stitching to reduce chafing and improve elasticity. The garment is made of comfortable and absorbent fabrics which are designed for support and to reduce or inhibit leaking.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of some, but not all, of the configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent an exhaustive list. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present invention and subject technology. The subject invention and technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown or described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a garment 1 according to the present invention. The garment includes a belly panel 3 which is preferably designed to cover the wearer's entire belly region beginning from the pubic bone and extending over the wearer's abdomen. The belly panel 3 is formed from a fabric which is elastically expandable and contractible. For example, the belly panel may be manufactured as a knitted fabric with elastic, stretchable strands. The knitted fabric can be stretchable, and the strands can be stretchable too. The belly panel 3 is adjacent to contoured front seamwork 5 and contoured seamwork 5 is configured to accommodate an expansion of the fabric (due to a growing belly) while maintaining the shape of the front panel 25 and support of the belly. The seamwork 5 preferably has a curved shape which is substantially a “U” shape. The seamwork 5 and circumferential portion 13 define the front portion 25. The belly panel 3 can be made of a performance fabric, as defined below. The seamwork 5 is curved to give support as well as to maintain and reinforce the preferable “U” shape to front portion 25. The front portion 25 plus the stitching 5 provide support to a protruding abdomen. The garment 1 includes one or more curved joining seams 17. On the front of the garment 1, the joining seams 17 begin on the side of the garment 1 designed to be on or near a hip portion of the wearer. As the seams 17 advance toward the center of the garment 1 (when viewed from the front), the seams 17 curve down to a center portion of the garment 1. The center portion of the garment 1 can be designed to be positioned on the pubic bone of the wearer.
The front rise of the garment 1 is defined by the length of center stitching 19 starting a at a bottom portion 21 of center stitching 19 and ending at a top portion 23 of center stitching 19. The front rise is relatively short and allows for maximum support and stretch since the top portion 23 is proximate or adjacent to the circumferential portion 13 and is designed to be below the belly of a wearer. The joining seam 17 is designed not to interfere with or constrict a protruding abdomen shape since it is spaced from the circumferential portion 13 and the belly panel 3.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the garment 1 of the present invention. Garment 1 includes a back panel 9 having a contoured top edge 11 which curves in an upward direction with the sides being higher than the center. The back panel 9 is designed to cover the wearer's back region beginning from above the hip and extending to the lower back. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a circumferential portion 13, which is designed to extend circumferentially around the wearer's torso. The circumferential portion extends all the way around the garment 1. The circumferential portion 13 is stitching which joins back panel 9 to the rear hip portions 15. At FIG. 1, the circumferential portion 13 is stitching which joins the front portion 25 with the front upper thigh portions 27. The uppermost portions 43 of the garment 1 are shown at FIG. 2. Preferably, an elastic band (see FIG. 8) extends around uppermost portions 43 and helps the garment 1 stay on the body of the wearer. The elastic band defined by uppermost portions 43 can extend circumferentially around the top of the garment 1. The dotted line at the top of FIG. 2 shows the location of the elastic band on the back of the garment 1. The elastic band extends all the way around the back and front of garment 1 at the uppermost portions 43 of the garment 1.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the garment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows upper stitching 37, middle stitching 39, and lower stitching 41 which separate and/or connect different portions of the garment 1.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the garment of the present invention showing the location of different kinds of fabric, such as one layer and two layer structures. Any one or more portions can include one, two, or more layers and these can be made with the performance fabric. A front portion 25 of the garment 1 can be double layered to support the abdomen of the wearer. The front portion 25 can be a fabric panel which extends from the circumferential portion 13 to the front seamwork 5. In other words, the front portion 25 is positioned between the belly panel 3 and the front upper thigh portions 27 and can form the intersection between belly panel 3 and the front upper thigh portions 27. The curvature (e.g., substantially U-shaped) of front portion 25 is specifically designed to follow the human body's natural curve during pregnancy when the abdomen protrudes away from the body above the pelvic region of the body. The front upper thigh portions 27 can also be made of a double-layered material that can be made of knitted fabric. Any of the fabric structures, especially the double layered structures of garment 1 can be made of knitted fabric. Any of the fabric structures of garment 1 can be made of one or more of the following: nylon (such as Supplex branded nylon or other types of nylon), spandex (such as Lycra branded spandex or materials containing polyurethane or polyether-polyurea copolymers), polyester (such as Coolmax branded polyester), cotton, rayon, and/or wool. Fabric made of these materials is described herein as “performance fabric”. One of the advantages of the performance fabrics of the present invention is that they do not need to be coated. In other words, they do not need to be coated in a chemical which deposits on the surface during manufacturing. Single and double layers can be made of the same fabric, such as a performance fabric. Multiple layers increase support. The layers are preferably made of the same material so they have the same stretchiness.
The crotch area 53 (see FIG. 9) may have different fabrics since one or more layers can be absorbent layers and can be made of the performance fabric while the outermost layer of the crotch area can be made of a water proof material to stop leakage of fluids. The garment 1 has front upper thigh portions 27 located immediately below the circumferential portion 13, and the front upper thigh portions 27 can also be made of the performance fabric. The stitching of the seamwork 5 can be made of polyester and/or nylon and can have a dual stitch structure. The seamwork 5 helps maintain the position of the garment 1 and can stretch over a protruding abdomen.
FIG. 4 also shows center portions 29. These can also be made of single, or double-layered fabric, or can have additional layers and is made of the performance fabric and can include a waterproof layer as a single layer or in addition to the performance fabric layer or layers. Front leg portions 33 can be made of single layer fabric to reduce material usage and cost. The inner thigh portions identified as center portions 29, the front thigh portions identified as front upper thigh portions 27, and the pelvic regions also identified by the upper thigh portions 27 can all include one, two, or more layers which include the performance fabric.
FIG. 5 shows a back view of the garment of the present invention showing the location of different kinds of fabric, such as one layer and two layer structures. Any portion can have two layers. If cost is a concern, then some portions can be made of single layers, such as the rear hip portions 15. The back panel 9 can be made of double layered fabric or a fabric with more than two layers. The center portions 29, which extend from the front of the garment 1 to the back of the garment 1 can be made of a double layered fabric or can have more than two layers. Rear leg portions 35 can be made of a single layer fabric if cost is an issue although they can also be made with two layers. Any fabric of garment 1, whether single or double layered (or having more than two layers) can be made to have the following characteristics: moisture wicking, lightweight, breathable, mildew resistant, and fast drying. These fabrics can be made of one or more of the following materials: nylon (such as Supplex branded nylon or other types of nylon), spandex (such as Lycra branded spandex or materials containing polyurethane or polyether-polyurea copolymers), polyester (such as Coolmax branded polyester), cotton, rayon, and/or wool. Fabrics made of these materials shall be referred to in this application as “performance fabrics” and the materials to make the performance fabrics can be referred to herein as “performance materials”. All of the fabrics of the garment 1 can be performance fabrics except in situations where a leak proof layer is included as part of center portions 29 or the crotch area (see FIG. 9). The double layered portions are more likely to have the desired characteristics although in some situations one layer is used to reduce cost. Center portions 29 are stitched to the front upper thigh portions 27 and rear leg portions 35 (See FIGS. 4, 5) via stitching 31 and can be constructed to be leak proof by virtue of having a waterproof layer. This waterproof layer can be made from the following: nylon (such as Supplex branded nylon or other types of nylon), spandex (such as Lycra branded spandex or materials containing polyurethane or polyether-polyurea copolymers), polyester (such as Coolmax branded polyester), cotton, rayon, and/or wool. It is noted that the terms “waterproof” and “leak proof” are intended to be the same and used interchangeably in this patent application.
In the present invention, a waterproof layer is a layer that has been chemically treated to be waterproof. The chemical treatment includes treating with a polymer which is waterproof and, preferably, has moisture permeability for comfort. The chemical treatment can be a chemical which is coated or laminated onto the fabric and will preferably be microporous to allow moisture permeability. The chemical treatment can be mad of polymers including one or more of polyethylene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyester. Information on chemical treatments for fabrics can be found at, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0355812. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0355812 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIG. 6 shows a partial enlarged front view of the garment according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 6 shows the seamwork 5 including flatlock stitching. The flatlock stitching of seamwork 5 is made from synthetic threads, such as polyester and/or nylon threads. Such material for the seamwork 5 reduces the occurrence of chafing in comparison with other materials such as cotton since the polyester and/or nylon can be very soft. The seamwork 5 can have horizontal stitching 7, 47 which extends along the length of the seamwork 5, such as in two parallel stitched lines. The horizontal stitching 7, 47 can be made of polyester. The remaining stitching 49 can be wavy and can extend in a sinusoidal curve along the length of the seamwork 5 and can define curves which extend between the two parallel stitched lines of horizontal stitching 7, 47. Nylon can be used for the remaining stitching 49. The use of nylon and polyester in combination in the thread allows the material to stretch while retaining shape. Polyester holds together well and nylon helps with stretchiness. Thus, the flatlock stitching of seamwork 5 can have two types of threads.
The combination of a contoured seamwork 5 with flatlock stiching made from thread such as polyester and/or nylon helps to maintain elasticity and maintain a strong and high quality stitch. In other words, the seamwork 5 can include coverstitches and the thread used for the coverstitches can be made of polyester and/or nylon. The coverstitches help maintain the position of the fabric and can stretch over a protruding abdomen. A crotch gusset can be included as part of the crotch portion 53 (see FIG. 9), and this can be made of a structure having one, two, or more layers, and one of the layers can be leak proof. Preferably, the structure has two layers and includes the performance fabric and a leak proof layer.
FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged rear view of the garment according to the present invention. The numerals used in the Figures identify the same portions if the same numeral is used. For example, numeral 9 in FIG. 7 identifies a back panel 9 which is the same as back panel 9 in FIGS. 2 and 5.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the garment according to the present invention. Back panel 9 as well as belly panel 3 are folded over the rubber elastic 45 (otherwise referred to as elastic band 45) with the top portion 43 seen at the top of FIG. 8. The stitching of the back panel 9 folded over the rubber elastic can be coverstitches and the thread used for the coverstitches can be made of polyester and/or nylon. For example, top threads of the coverstitches can be made of polyester and the bottom ones can be made of nylon, or vice-versa. The stitching can also be the same as seamwork 5 (see FIG. 6). The coverstitches help maintain the position of the rubber plastic and can stretch along with the rubber plastic over a protruding abdomen. As stated above, belly panel 3 (shown at FIG. 1) can also be folded over rubber elastic 45 and stitched in the same way as back panel 9.
FIG. 9 shows a partial bottom view of garment 1 and depicts crotch gusset 51 on the crotch portion 53 of the garment 1. The crotch gusset can be made of one, two, or more layers. One of the layers can be leak proof [nylon (such as Supplex branded nylon or other types of nylon), spandex (such as Lycra branded spandex or materials containing polyurethane or polyether-polyurea copolymers), polyester (such as Coolmax branded polyester), cotton, rayon, and/or wool]. The other layer or layers can be made of the performance fabric.
Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.
Any aspect set forth in any embodiment or example may be used with any other embodiment or example set forth herein.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed products without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other examples of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only and that the present invention is not limited to the details shown.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
