CLOTHING PRODUCT WITH MUTUALLY DETACHABLE GARMENTS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF
Disclosed is a clothing product including plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with natural contour of the human body. Furthermore disclosed is a method of manufacturing a clothing product including plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing coupling arrangement, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of human body coinciding with natural contour of the human body, wherein the method includes manufacturing the plurality of mutually detachable garments; and including the coupling arrangement as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments.
The present disclosure relates generally to a clothing product; more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a clothing product which allows a wearer thereof to vary a size and/or style thereof depending upon preferences of the wearer. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a clothing product; more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a clothing product which can be mutually detached into separate garments and interchangeably worn to vary a size and/or style thereof depending upon preferences of a wearer. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to methods of (for) manufacturing the aforesaid clothing product.
BACKGROUNDIn the recent past, consumers have become selective towards choice of wearable products, especially clothing products in terms of fit, comfort, durability and style at the same time. Generally, when selecting clothing, most individuals choose clothing based on, but not limited to, an occasion at which the clothing is to be worn, their preferred style, fit, clothing size or body measurements. The selection of clothing is such, so as to cater to preferences of a given individual's desire.
However, a selection of preferred clothing from currently available garments or clothing is riddled with multiple challenges. A major challenge with conventional clothing is an unavailability of clothing sizes adaptable to a particular shape and size of an individual. In conventional garments, a given garment is one clothing size throughout and therefore there is little or no scope for variation of clothing size within a garment to accommodate an individual's body shape and preference for a perfect fit. Furthermore, selecting clothing in a contemporary market is a time-consuming process, as consumers have a variety of considerations to account for, which can also be frustrating for the consumers at times. Moreover, the consumer's frustration may also emanate from a lack of confidence to try certain sized clothing and an inability to fit into a size, leading to disappointment. This disappointment can then have a negative effect on the consumer when he or she is selecting clothing.
Furthermore, the selected garment may fit to size for a limited period of time as body shape and/or size of an individual may undergo change multiple times throughout his/her life. This may lead to discarding of a currently in-use garment when the body shape and/or size of the individual changes, creating a demand for a new outfit or clothing. Such a process is both expensive and time consuming. Furthermore, few individuals have a particular preferred clothing or outfit which he/she would prefer to wear repeatedly but the potential desire to alter a size and shape according to a current need is increasingly challenging. Additionally, many individuals have a favoured style or garment and these can be extremely difficult to replace if their body shape or size changes. Moreover, people desire to pack light while travelling without compromising on number of options to wear for different occasions. However, conventional clothing is incapable of catering to such needs.
Furthermore, in the fashion industry, returns are a huge expense to retailers. This is because of, but not limited to, the cost of labour, time and also resources to process the returns. The main reason for returns is due to issues with fit. However, with the time taken to process returns and the fast-paced nature of fashion, clothing may no longer be available in the preferred style or shape or size of an individual which may result in, but not limited to, loss of sales, discounting and wastage of clothing. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the clothing industry for producing garments is one of the largest in the world including, but not limited to, large carbon emissions and water usage, wastage of clothes, landfill and pressure on resources. As a result of this, there is a demand to extend the active lifetime of clothing and to lessen wastage of clothing to reduce this impact. For example, many clothing materials such as polyester materials biodegrade only very slowly in nature, and can give rise to microplastics particles that are potentially damaging to the Earth's biosphere.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the conventional clothing product.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure seeks to provide an improved and interchangeable clothing product in terms of size and style. The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of (for) manufacturing the interchangeable clothing product. Moreover, the present disclosure seeks to provide a solution to the existing problem of lack of adequate and preferred choices in clothing products in terms of size and/or style. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes, at least partially, the problems encountered in the known art, and provides an interchangeable clothing product which allows the wearer greater flexibility in selecting and changing the clothing size and style within and of a garment.
In one aspect, there is provided a clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body,
wherein the coupling arrangement includes an elongate fastener having a row of mutually-engaging interlocking projections, wherein the elongate fastener is a primary type of fastener employed for the coupling arrangement.
The embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and enables the individual the flexibility to select and alter the clothing size within a garment if required by varying the sizes of the separate garments to fit the user's body shape or fit preferences more than conventional garments. The disclosed clothing product also enables the wearer to select and vary the style of the garment quickly and easily by selecting and varying the style within, and therefore of the garment if required. Furthermore, the clothing product allows the two separate garments to be attached to each other quickly for however long the wearer requires, and quickly detached to try some other combination of garments to accommodate the wearer's preferences. The clothing product provides personalization by allowing the opportunity to select the style and fit preference of the wearer. The clothing product thus helps to extend the active lifetime of the garment with its flexibility to the user's preference.
Optionally, the elongate fastener has elasticity properties to allow for a garment to change size according to the body size of an individual.
Optionally, the one or more ends of the elongate fastener is supplemented with a secondary type of fastener which resists the primary type of fastener from detaching sequentially along its length when subjected to lateral pulling forces when the clothing product is in use.
Optionally, the secondary type of fastener is implemented as a clip arrangement or magnetic clasp arrangement.
Optionally, the at least one of the mutually detachable garments is provided with a concealing flap arrangement that hides the coupling arrangement from external view when the clothing product is being worn.
Optionally, the concealing flap arrangement is arranged to flop downwards under an effect of gravity to conceal the coupling arrangement when the clothing product is being worn.
Optionally, the coupling arrangement, when in operation, is capable of coupling the plurality of garments together, wherein the garments are of mutually different size designation.
Optionally, the plurality of garments includes a jacket and a skirt, wherein the coupling arrangement, when in use, couples the jacket to the skirt.
Optionally, the coupling arrangement is capable of withstanding aquatic washing and/or dry-cleaning process for clothing materials.
Optionally, the plurality of garments is at least one of: mutually matching colour, mutually matching visual pattern, mutually matching surface texture, mutually matching style, mutually matching material.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of (for) manufacturing a clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body, wherein the method includes:
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- manufacturing the plurality of mutually detachable garments; and
- including the coupling arrangement as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments.
Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSThe following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
In one aspect, there is provided a clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body, characterized in that the coupling arrangement includes an elongated fastener having a row of mutually-engaging interlocking projections, wherein the elongated fastener is a primary type of fastener employed for the coupling arrangement.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of (for) manufacturing a clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body, wherein the method includes:
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- manufacturing the plurality of mutually detachable garments; and
- including the coupling arrangement as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments.
The present invention discloses a clothing product, consisting of a plurality of mutually detachable garments. When in use, the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments. The coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body. The present clothing product allows the individual the flexibility to select and alter the clothing size within a garment, if required by varying the sizes of the separate garments to fit the user's body shape or fit preferences more than conventional garments. The wearer is also able to select and vary the style of the garment quickly and easily by selecting and varying the style within, and therefore of the garment if required. Furthermore, the present clothing product allows the plurality of separate garments to be attached to each other quickly, temporarily attached to each other for however long the wearer requires, and quickly detached from each other to accommodate the wearer's preferences. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a clothing product with greater flexibility in selecting and changing the clothing size within and of a garment. Moreover, the clothing product disclosed herein allows the wearer a greater flexibility in changing styles and appearances within and of a garment.
Throughout the present disclosure the term “clothing product” refers to wearable clothing that is worn by an individual as single piece clothing. In this context, the different types of clothing product include, but do not limit to, a pencil dress, a skater dress, a maxi dress, a gown, a camisole dress, a yoke dress, a shift dress, an A-line dress, a sheath dress, a shirt dress, a wraparound dress, a harem dress, a wedding gown, a mermaid dress, a fit and flare dress, a jumpsuit, a playsuit, a romper, and a swimming costume. The clothing product may be extended to other categories. This could include, but not limited to, children's uniforms, in order to accommodate for the growth of children. It could also extend to corporate uniforms, for instance for air hostesses to accommodate for the changing climates, which demands versatile clothing. In addition, this could include menswear such as, but not limited to, jackets, waistcoats, shirts or trousers. Optionally, a swimming costume may be notionally divided about a line to form a bikini or tankini top and bikini bottoms.
Furthermore, throughout the present disclosure, the term “garment” is used for different pieces that are mutually detachable to form the clothing product. Beneficially, the garments can be interchangeably worn with other corresponding garments to form a different style of the clothing product. A garment can be broadly classified into two categories, an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment usually covers the upper portion of the body above the waist line, whereas the lower garment usually covers the lower portion of the body below the waist line. The different types of upper garments include, but do not limit to, a sleeveless top, a sleeved top, a body-fitted top, a crop top, a shirt top, a blouse top, a tube top, a tank top, a wrap top, a cami top, an off-shoulder top and a cold-shoulder top. The different types of lower garments include, but do not limit to, a pencil skirt, a pleated skirt, a mini skirt, a tulip skirt, an A-line skirt, a bell-shaped skirt, a skater skirt, a long skirt, an asymmetrical skirt, a slim-fit trouser bottom, a rugged trouser bottom, a culottes bottom, a bell bottom, a legging bottom, a harem pant, a formal pant, a palazzo bottom, a running shorts, a bermuda shorts, a capri, a wrap shorts, and a cargo shorts.
The clothing product, as disclosed herein, includes a plurality of mutually detachable garments that are attached together by employing a coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments. The coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body, when being worn in use. According to an embodiment, the plurality of garments is at least one of: mutually matching colour, mutually matching visual pattern, mutually matching surface texture, mutually matching style, mutually matching material; for example, by “mutually matching” is meant to within +/−20% of a given parameter, for example colour, size, material, thickness, and more optionally to within +/−10%. The coupling arrangement allows the wearer to select the styles of the separate garments in order to influence the style of the garment when the two separate garments are combined. Detaching the garments and changing one of the garments allows the wearer an opportunity to change the appearance, style, fit and clothing size of and within the garment. The structure of the garments can vary. For instance, two garments may be created by notionally splitting a conventional garment about a horizontal line or lines around, but not limited to, the waist to produce a top and a skirt. As a result, the garments are entirely interchangeable in terms of style and size when the two separate garments are combined depending on the preferences of an individual. Notably, any upper garment can be attached to any lower garment to form a different style and/or size of clothing. Beneficially, “x” number of upper garments and “y” number of lower garments can be interchangeably attached to each other to form “x.y” (“x” multiplied by “y”) number of clothing products.
In an example, consider a sleeveless pencil dress and a sleeved skater dress. The sleeveless pencil dress can be divided along the waistline to produce two separate garments, a sleeveless top and a pencil skirt. Further, the sleeved skater dress can be divided along the waistline to produce two separate garments, a sleeved top and a skater skirt. The sleeveless dress is attached along the waistline by employing the coupling arrangement and can be detached to form the sleeveless top and the pencil skirt. Moreover, the sleeved dress is attached along the waistline by employing the coupling arrangement which can be detached to form the sleeved top and the skater skirt. It will be appreciated that the sleeveless top detached from the sleeveless pencil dress can be attached to the skater skirt to form a new different style, a sleeveless skater dress. Furthermore, the sleeved top detached from the sleeved skater dress can be attached to the pencil skirt detached from the sleeveless pencil dress to form a new different style, a sleeved pencil dress. Therefore, it may be appreciated that the given two dresses can be re-configured to design two new dresses according to the present disclosure.
In another example, consider an overcoat and a dress. The overcoat can be divided along the waistline by employing a coupling arrangement to form a jacket. Furthermore, the dress can be divided along the waistline by employing a coupling arrangement to form a skirt. Subsequently, the detached jacket and the detached skirt can be coupled together to form a new style of clothing. Furthermore, the coupling arrangement allows the wearer to couple garments of different fabrics, for example, a jersey upper garment can be attached to a crepe lower garment.
Furthermore, when the two separate garments are combined to create a different garment, the two separate garments allow for a possible different size throughout. The interchanging ability and selection option of different sizes and styles for combining the two separate garments is provided by the coupling arrangement. Notably, the garments can be detached and attached to other garments provided the coupling arrangement fits together to ensure they are completely interchangeable. Furthermore, the ability of two garments of different sizes to be attached to each other, where the garments meet, is provided by the coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement allows the wearer to choose the same size of both the separate garments or a different size of the two separate garments.
Optionally, the coupling arrangement may be placed at different parts of the garments to create different versions of a same dress. For example, a sleeved top can be divided notionally along the armhole to form a sleeveless top. Furthermore, bell sleeves, butterfly sleeves, puffed sleeves, kimono sleeves, raglan sleeves and so forth can be attached to a sleeveless top to form an entirely different style of top. In another example, a blouse top can be divided notionally around a line above the waist line to form a crop top. Furthermore, the coupling arrangement may be placed at different lengths of the garment to create a garment of altered length. In an example, an additional hem can be attached to a mini skirt to create a longer knee-length skirt. In another example, a trouser bottom can be notionally divided along the knees to create a shorter trouser. Therefore, in other words, the coupling arrangement is beneficially placed on different parts of the garment to create a longer version of the same garment; or if the sections are detached, a shorter version of the same garment. Optionally, the coupling arrangement is disposed on the side of the garment to alter the appearance or fit of garments. For example, the coupling arrangement may be arranged on trousers from the ankle to the knee along the sew lines, which can alter the trousers from flare to slim fit trousers. This may extend to, but not limited to, jackets, coats, skirts, hats, trousers, shorts, shirts and blouses.
According to an embodiment, the coupling arrangement includes an elongate fastener to attach the detachable garments; for example, by “elongate” is meant at least 10 times longer than wide. Herein, the elongate fastener is a primary type of fastener, and the two expressions have been interchangeably used hereinafter. The coupling arrangement allows the attached garments to stay intact when the wearer moves about, or when a lateral force is exerted on the garments when the clothing product is in use. The elongate fastener has a row of mutually-engaging interlocking projections. Notably, one half of the elongate fastener is disposed circumferentially on a bottom edge of the upper garment, and hereinafter referred to as a first half of the elongate fastener; and the other half of the elongate fastener is disposed circumferentially on a top edge of the lower garment, and hereinafter referred to as a second half of the elongate fastener. It will be appreciated that in an interlocked state, the interlocking projections of the first half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment are interlocked with the interlocking projections of the second half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment. Herein, the elongate fastener is a primary type of fastener that keeps the attached garments intact when subjected to lateral pulling forces.
In an example, the elongate fastener is an open-ended zip closure such that the first half of the zip is disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment and the mutually interlocking second half of the zip is disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment. When the zip is in an interlocked state, the upper garment and the lower garment are interlocked to form a dress (clothing product); whereas when the zip is in a detached state, the dress is disassembled, and the two garments can be worn independently in different manners. In another example, the elongate fastener is a plurality of snap buttons or popper buttons having a socket and a cap for attaching the garments together. A number of sockets are disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment which fit into the corresponding caps disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment. Beneficially, the popper buttons are disposed in a manner such that when in a closed state, the popper buttons are hidden from external view. In another example, the elongate fastener is a plurality of buttons disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment, wherein the buttons are inserted into the corresponding openings or loops on the top edge of the lower garment. In another example, the elongate fastener is a hook-and-eye arrangement wherein a row of hooks is disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment which are inserted into the corresponding eyes disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment. Beneficially, the hook-and-eye arrangement are disposed in a manner such that when the dress is in an attached state or a detached state, the hooks-and-eyes are hidden from external view. In another example, the elongate fastener is a hook and a loop tape (VELCRO®) wherein one of the strips with tiny hooks is disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment which interlock into the curling pile of another strip disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment. Beneficially, the hook and loop arrangement (VELCRO®) is disposed in a manner that when in a closed state, the hook and loop arrangement (VELCRO®) is hidden from external view.
Optionally, the colour, surface texture, pattern, material of the coupling arrangement is mutually matching with the garment on which the coupling arrangement is disposed. Such a coupling arrangement is completely camouflaged with the garment, thereby providing an appealing finish to the garment and clothing product as a whole. In an example, a garment which is “red” in colour may be provided with a “red” colour coupling arrangement. Furthermore, the colour of the coupling arrangement may be different than the colour of the garment. In such a case, the colour of the coupling arrangement may serve to enhance appearance of the garment. For instance, a “golden” colour coupling arrangement when disposed on a “red” garment will render an appealing style to the garment.
Optionally, the elongate fastener has elasticity properties to allow for a garment to change size according to the body size of an individual. For example, if an individual's waist size changes, the elasticity properties of the elongate fastener will allow the individual to enjoy a proper fit of the garment and the clothing product. In an example, the elongate fastener has an elasticity range of 6 inches (circa 150 mm; note 1 inch=2.54 cm) along the waistline. In other words, the elongate fastener in an un-stretched state is 28 inches (circa 70 cm) which can be extended up to 34 inches (circa 85 cm) when stretched to its full potential. Therefore, if the body size of an individual varies within the said 6 inches (circa 150 mm) range over a period of time, the garment could still be adjusted to fit the individual.
According to an embodiment, the coupling arrangement, when in operation, is capable of attaching the plurality of garments together, wherein the garments are of mutually different size designation. Optionally, the upper garment and the lower garment are of same size and same waist size. For example, a top of size 8 and waist 27 can be conveniently attached to a skirt of size 8 and waist 27. Optionally, the upper garment attached to the lower garment are of a different size but same waist size. For example, a top of size 8 and waist 27 can be conveniently attached to a skirt of size 10 and waist 27. Notably, the elongate fastener is made of separate sections in order to allow the elongate fastener to be wider or narrower wherever needed to allow for variable sizing. Such an arrangement will allow for coupling garments of different sizes. For example, an upper garment with a bottom edge of 30 centimetres in length can be removably attached with a lower garment with a top edge of 32 centimetres in length. Such an arrangement ensures to provide a comfortable fit by allowing the wearer to adjust the front waistline or back waistline as desired by the wearer according to the body shape of the wearer. Moreover, a thickness and/or length of the elongate fastener can be varied, and/or the existing elongate fasteners may be extended and/or additional elongate fastener(s) may be added in order to accommodate the individual's current or changed body shape or size or preference for fit. Optionally, there is a piece of material between the zip and the body to stop the zip from rubbing on the skin.
In an example, the upper garment with a bottom edge of 30 centimetres in length is provided with a zip arrangement of total 8 centimetres in length. The 8 cm zip arrangement is divided into two sections of equal lengths, that is 4 centimetres each wherein one of the two sections (4 centimetres in length) of the zip arrangement is disposed at one end of the bottom edge of the upper garment while the other of the two sections (4 centimetres in length) of the zip arrangement is disposed at corresponding end of the bottom edge of the upper garment. Furthermore, the lower garment with an upper edge of 32 centimetres in length is provided with a zip arrangement of total 12 centimetres in length. Further, the zip arrangement of 12 centimetres is divided into two sections of equal lengths, that is 6 centimetres each wherein one of the two sections (6 centimetres in length) of the zip arrangement is disposed at one end of the upper edge of the lower garment while the other of the two sections (6 centimetres in length) of the zip arrangement is disposed at corresponding end of the upper edge of the lower garment. While interlocking the 4 centimetres zip sections of the upper garment can be interlocked with a left 4 centimetres portion of the 6 centimetres zip section at one end, and with the right 4 centimetres portion of the 6 centimetres zip section at the other end of the lower garment. Such an arrangement will aid to adjust a front waistline of the formed dress to 18 centimetres and a back waistline of the formed dress to 14 centimetres in the lower garment. In another example, 4 centimetres zip sections of the upper garment can be interlocked with a right 4 centimetres portion of the 6 centimetres zip section at one end and with a left 4 centimetres portion of the b 6 centimetres zip section at the other end. Such an arrangement will aid to adjust the front waistline of the formed dress to 14 centimetres and the back waistline of the formed dress to 18 centimetres in the lower garment. In yet another example, 4 centimetres zip sections can be interlocked with the right 4 centimetres portion of the 6 centimetres zip section at one end and again with the right 4 centimetres portion of the 6centimetres zip section at the other end. Such an arrangement will aid to adjust the front waistline of the formed dress to 15 centimetres and the back waistline of the formed dress to 17 centimetres in the lower garment.
Optionally, the clothing product is provided with an additional elongate fastener disposed on a side or a back or at the front of the mutually detachable garments (upper garment and lower garment) to aid the user to put the garment on. For example, one-piece garments are typically one size throughout, dressing can be challenging for the wearer if the body shape or size of the individual is not in accordance with one-piece dress. Therefore, the additional elongate fastener is provided at the side of the upper garment and the lower garment wherein the user may unlock the additional elongate fastener while dressing the garment. Furthermore, the additional elongate fastener is interlocked thereafter for wearing the garment. Such an arrangement of elongate fastener at the waist line of the garment and additional elongate fastener(s) at the sides or back of the garment provides a more comfortable fit. Beneficially, the elongate fastener that couples the two separate garments and the additional elongate fasteners on each of the separate garments ease dressing for the wearer.
Optionally, the elongate fastener along the waist line is provided with a variable hook and loop arrangement to allow the elongate fastener to be wider or narrower wherever needed to allow for varying the size of the garment. In an example, an upper garment with a waist size of 28 inches (circa 70 cm) and a lower garment with a waist size of 30 inches (circa 75 cm) which are mutually detachable, may be provided with an elongate fastener along the waistline, wherein first half of the elongate fastener is disposed on the bottom edge of the upper garment and the second half of the elongate fastener is disposed on the upper edge of the lower garment. Furthermore, the first half of the elongate fastener is provided with a hook and other end of the first half of the elongate fastener is provided a metallic strip with multiple notches at regular intervals for accommodating the hook when in a closed state. The metallic strip may be 5 centimetres in length having 5 notches at 1 centimetre intervals, thereby providing a margin of 5 centimetres in the garment. An individual may insert the hook in the first notch to have a size 28 inches (circa 70 cm), or may insert the hook in the second notch to increase the size of the upper garment by 1 centimetre, and so forth to increase the size of the dress by up to 5 centimetres by inserting the hook in the fifth notch. Furthermore, the second half of the elongate fastener is provided with a hook and other end of the second half of the elongate fastener is provided a metallic strip with multiple notches at regular intervals for accommodating the hook when in a closed state. The metallic strip may be 5 centimetres in length having 5 notches at 1 centimetre intervals, thereby providing a margin of 5 centimetres in the garment. An individual may insert the hook in the first notch to have a size 30 inches of the lower garment, or may insert the hook in the second notch to increase the size of the dress by 1 centimetre, and so forth to increase the size of the lower garment by up to 5 centimetres by inserting the hook in the fifth notch.
According to an embodiment, the one or more ends of the elongate fastener are supplemented with a secondary type of fastener which resists the primary type of fastener from detaching sequentially along its length when subjected to lateral pulling forces, when the clothing product is in use. Herein, one part of the secondary type of fastener is attached at one end of the first half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment, and referred to as a first part of the secondary type of fastener; while other part of the secondary type of fastener is attached at a corresponding end of the second half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment, and referred to as a second part of the secondary type of fastener. When the garments are attached together, the first part of the secondary type of fastener is secured with the second part of the secondary type of fastener to provide an extra fastening support to the coupling arrangement so as to restrict the movement of the garments along the line of coupling.
Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity the terms “primary fastener” and “primary type of fastener” have been interchangeably used. Furthermore, the terms “secondary fastener” and “secondary type of fastener” have been interchangeably used.
Optionally, the secondary fastener is implemented as a magnetic clasp arrangement, wherein a permanent magnet is attached at the end of the first half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment while another permanent magnet of opposite polarity is attached at the corresponding end of the second half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment; optionally, the permanent magnet is a neodymium magnet that can survive clothes washing temperatures without losing its magnetism. When the garments are attached together, the two permanent magnets are attached by a force of attraction to assist the primary type of fastener to hold the two garments together in the attached state of the dress. In an example, the magnetic clasp arrangement may include a permanent magnet and a ferrous metal arrangement. In another example, the magnetic clasp arrangement may include two types of magnetic materials. Notably, the different types of ferrous metals/alloys include, but do not limit to, cast iron, high carbon steel, mild steel and stainless steel. The different types of magnetic materials may include, but do not limit to, Copper, Brass, Lead and Zinc.
Optionally, the secondary fastener is implemented as a clip arrangement to securely fasten the garments when the garments are removably attached to each other. In an example, the clip arrangement is a hook and loop closure wherein a metallic hook is attached at the end of the first half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment while a metallic loop is attached at the corresponding end of the second half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment. When the garments are coupled together, the hook in the upper garment is inserted into the loop in the lower garment to securely fasten the garments in place. In another example, the clip arrangement is a button and loop closure wherein a button is attached at the end of the first half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the bottom edge of the upper garment while a loop (hole) is punched at the corresponding end of the second half of the elongate fastener disposed circumferentially on the top edge of the lower garment. When the garments are attached together, the button in the upper garment is inserted into the loop (hole) in the lower garment to securely fasten the garments in place.
According to an embodiment, the coupling arrangement is capable of withstanding aquatic washing and/or dry-cleaning process for clothing materials. For this purpose, the coupling arrangement including, but not limited to, a zip, a button and hole arrangement, a hook and eye arrangement are properly attached to the respective garments and be made of water-proof materials to prevent the possibility of coupling arrangement being damaged due to aquatic washing and/or dry-cleaning process.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the mutually detachable garments is provided with a concealing flap arrangement that hides the coupling arrangement from external view when the clothing product is being worn. The concealing flap arrangement is circumferentially disposed along the coupling arrangement to hide the coupling arrangement from external view, enhancing aesthetics of the garment when worn separately as well as when worn as a one-piece garment; the concealing flap also has a technical function of protecting the coupling arrangement from external impacts, for example knocks. Beneficially, the concealing flap arrangement is arranged to flop downwards under an effect of gravity to conceal the coupling arrangement when the clothing product is being worn. Such an arrangement of concealing flap arrangement will ensure that the user need not worry about the positioning or direction the concealing flap arrangement, when the garment or clothing product is in use. In other examples, the concealing flap arrangement may be arranged on the lower garment and may be flopped upwards to conceal the coupling arrangement when the clothing product is being worn. Optionally, the coupling arrangement is exposed to external view, without the concealing flap arrangement.
Notably, the concealing flap arrangement may be disposed on at least one of the mutually detachable garments of the clothing product. Optionally, the concealing flap arrangement is circumferentially disposed above the coupling arrangement of the upper garment. Furthermore, the concealing flap arrangement is circumferentially disposed above the coupling arrangement of the lower garment. Optionally, the concealing flap arrangement may also be an extended edge of upper garment in a manner to conceal the elongate fastener from external view. Notably, the thickness or width of the concealing flap arrangement when disposed only on the upper garment or the lower garment is half of the width compared to when the concealing flap arrangement disposed on both the upper garment and the lower garment.
In an example, a dress is divided along the waistline to obtain two separate garments, a top (upper garment) and a skirt (lower garment). In such example, the concealing flap arrangement may be disposed just above the one half of the coupling arrangement in the top, whereas the skirt may not be provided with any concealing flap arrangement. When the dress is in an attached state, the concealing flap arrangement may be flopped downwards from the top edge of the top (upper garment) to hide the one half of the coupling arrangement in the top, including the other half of the coupling arrangement in the skirt, completely. In another example, the concealing flap arrangement is disposed just above the one half of the coupling arrangement of the top. Furthermore, the concealing flap arrangement is disposed above the other half of the coupling arrangement of the skirt. When worn separately as a skirt and a top, the concealing flap arrangement of each of the garment is capable of hiding the respective half of the coupling arrangements from external view. The concealing flap arrangement on the skirt and the top are flopped downwards to hide the underlying coupling arrangement. Optionally, the concealing flap arrangement on the skirt and the top are flopped upwards to hide the underlying coupling arrangement. It may be understood that while attaching the dress, the concealing flap arrangement of the skirt and the top are flopped upwards in a manner to expose the underlying coupling arrangement. Subsequently, one half of the coupling arrangement disposed on the top is attached with the other half of the coupling arrangement disposed on the skirt, and then the concealing flap arrangement is conveniently flopped over the coupling arrangement providing an appealing finish to the dress, with the coupling arrangement being concealed from external view. Optionally, the concealing flap arrangement of the skirt has a flap in between the skin and the zip to prevent contact between the coupling arrangement and skin of an individual. Optionally, the upper garment and the lower garment are provided with a waistband below the respective coupling arrangements so as to limit direct contact between the coupling arrangement and the skin of an individual. Beneficially, the waistband is made of a soft material, including but not limited to, muslin, velvet, organdy and the like.
Notably, the garment and the concealing flap arrangement disposed thereon are preferably of a mutually matching material, a mutually matching colour, a mutually matching visual pattern, mutually matching surface texture and the like. In an example, a garment made of a cotton fabric and red in colour is provided with a concealing flap arrangement made of a cotton fabric and red in colour. Optionally, the garment and the concealing flap arrangement may differ in material, colour, visual pattern, surface texture and the like. In an example, a garment made of a cotton fabric and “red” in colour may be provided with a concealing flap arrangement made of a “chiffon fabric” and “yellow” in colour. Optionally, accessories such as a belt, a scarf, a metal chain and the like may also serve as concealing flap arrangement to hide the coupling arrangement from external view.
In an exemplary implementation, consider a sleeveless dress and a maxi dress. The sleeveless dress can be divided along a line above the waistline to form a sleeveless crop top and a pencil skirt which are mutually detachable by employing the coupling arrangement.
Furthermore, the maxi dress can be divided above the waistline to form a carni top and a long skirt which are mutually detachable by employing the coupling arrangement. Moreover, the sleeveless crop top can be paired with the long skirt to form a new style of clothing. Furthermore, the carni top can be attached with the pencil skirt to form another new style of clothing, a carni top dress. Therefore, the wearer is provided with four different style of clothing for different occasions. For example, the sleeveless dress may serve as a business casual, the maxi dress may serve as an evening party gown, the sleeveless crop top paired with the long skirt may serve as a casual outing dress, and the carni top dress may serve appropriate for a daytime event.
In another exemplary implementation, the clothing product of the present invention can be converted from a bridal gown for the day ceremony into an evening dress for the reception. The bridal gown is manufactured as two mutually detachable garments along a line above the knees. The portion above the knee-length serves as an evening dress and the portion below the knee-length may serve as a skirt. The two garments are attached and detached by employing the coupling arrangement, for example a zip, which is manufactured as an integral part of the two garments, the evening dress and the skirt. Herein, the bridal gown is detached above the knee to form a knee-length evening dress.
In another exemplary implementation, a sleeveless jumpsuit dress and sweater dress are manufactured to be interchangeable to adapt to unpredictable weather changes. Notably, the sleeveless jumpsuit dress is manufactured as two mutually detachable garments, a sleeveless top and a trouser bottom; and the sweater dress is manufactured as two mutually detachable garments, a sweater top and a skirt by dividing each of the dress along the waistline and employing a coupling arrangement, such as a zip to facilitate attachment and detachment of the garments.
It may be appreciated that the sweater top can be attached to the trouser bottom to adapt to weather changes.
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Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
Claims
1. A clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body,
- wherein the coupling arrangement includes an elongated fastener having a row of mutually-engaging interlocking projections, wherein the elongated fastener is a primary type of fastener employed for the coupling arrangement.
2. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein the elongate fastener has elasticity properties to allow for a garment to change size according to the body size of an individual.
3. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein one or more ends of the elongate fastener is supplemented with a secondary type of fastener which resists the primary type of fastener from detaching sequentially along its length when subjected to lateral pulling forces when the clothing product is in use.
4. A clothing product according to claim 2, wherein one or more ends of the elongate fastener is supplemented with a secondary type of fastener which resists the primary type of fastener from detaching sequentially along its length when subjected to lateral pulling forces when the clothing product is in use.
5. A clothing product according to claim 3, wherein the secondary type of fastener is implemented as a clip arrangement or magnetic clasp arrangement, or both.
6. A clothing product according to claim 4, wherein the secondary type of fastener is implemented as a clip arrangement or magnetic clasp arrangement, or both.
7. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the mutually detachable garments is provided with a concealing flap arrangement that hides the coupling arrangement from external view when the clothing product is being worn.
8. A clothing product according to claim 7, wherein the concealing flap arrangement is arranged to flop downwards under an effect of gravity to conceal the coupling arrangement when the clothing product is being worn.
9. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement, when in operation, is capable of coupling the plurality of garments together, wherein the garments are of mutually different size designation.
10. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of garments includes a jacket and a skirt, wherein the coupling arrangement, when in use, couples the jacket to the skirt.
11. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is capable of withstanding aquatic washing and/or dry-cleaning process for clothing materials.
12. A clothing product according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of garments are at least one of: mutually matching colour, mutually matching visual pattern, mutually matching surface texture, mutually matching style, mutually matching material.
13. A method of (for) manufacturing a clothing product including a plurality of mutually detachable garments, wherein the mutually detachable garments are coupled together, when being worn in use, by employing a coupling arrangement that is included as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments, and wherein the coupling arrangement is disposed along or at a region of a human body coinciding with a natural contour of the human body, wherein the method includes:
- manufacturing the plurality of mutually detachable garments; and
- including the coupling arrangement as an integral part of the plurality of mutually detachable garments.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2018
Publication Date: Sep 3, 2020
Inventor: Rachel Catherine Beattie (Manchester)
Application Number: 16/761,239