Adjustable Or Elastic Patents (Class 2/221)
  • Patent number: 12102139
    Abstract: An adjustable intra-clothing device for supporting at least a portion of the torso of a person that may be free of any boning. An article of clothing for supporting at least a portion of a torso of a person that may conform to the natural curvature of the torso of the person. An adjustable corset for supporting at least a portion of a torso of a person that may provide a compressive force around the torso of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Inventor: A'sha Brown
  • Patent number: 11732387
    Abstract: Elastic trims and articles incorporating the same, and also methods of manufacturing and processing elastic trims and articles incorporating the same, are provided. An elastic trim may include a base textile that is knitted or woven, and may further include cables that are movably positioned in tunnel structures located within the base textile, the cables having a lower stretch characteristic than the base textile. The cables may be secured and removed at certain locations, thereby imparting a variable stretch characteristic to the elastic trim. The elastic trims may be incorporated into various articles, including waistbands, apparel, footwear, and bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Demetrio Aleman, Bruce Y. Moore
  • Patent number: 11717039
    Abstract: An immobilizing sleep garment assembly includes a vest is wearable on a user when the user is recovering from shoulder surgery. A plurality of chest mating members is each vertically oriented on the vest. A plurality of first straps is each disposed on the vest and a plurality of second straps is each of the second straps is disposed on the vest. Each of the first straps is releasably matable to a respective one of the second straps to secure the vest around the user's upper torso. A glove is provided that can be worn on a respective one of the user's hands. A glove mating member is coupled to the glove and the glove mating member releasably engages the chest mating members at a desired location on the plurality of chest mating members to restrain the user's arm for sleeping while recovering from the shoulder or arm surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Nelson Howe
  • Patent number: 11712078
    Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel is provided. The waistband may comprise at least one tunnel structure through which one or more cords may extend to allow tensioning of the waistband through pulling of the cord(s), while additionally providing comfort, stretchability, breathability, and adjustability for the wearer through integration of one or more elastic or elastically resilient portions into the waistband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Bruce Y. Moore
  • Patent number: 11679035
    Abstract: A top band (1, 1?) for garments (2), in particular for medical compression stockings or bandages, comprising a flexible basic body (3, 3?) with an inside (4, 4?) facing the garment (2) and an outside (5, 5?), wherein the flexible basic body (3, 3?) comprises a fastening section (7, 7?) for the garment (2) on the inside (4, 4?) next to a coupling section (6, 6?), and wherein the fastening section (7, 7?) is formed by an edge-side recess (8, 8?) in the flexible basic body (3, 3?), so that the garment (2) can be fastened, offset from the coupling section (6, 6?) of the flexible basic body (3, 3?), in the recess (8, 8?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MEDI GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Peter Hoffeins
  • Patent number: 11406145
    Abstract: A garment is provided having a closed front portion made of a pair of overlapping fabric panels that are joined along a seam. The garment also includes a lower front access portion where the pair of fabric panels overlap but are not joined and may therefore be parted, providing access to a portion of the wearer's body. A third fabric panel is joined to the overlapping pair fabric panels and is disposed in a chest area of the garment. A rear portion of the garment is openable to provide access to the wearer's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Angel Wraps Baby, LLC
    Inventor: Lisa Gambon
  • Patent number: 11337476
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter it is directed to a garment, e.g., boardshorts that includes pelvic and leg regions, the pelvic region being free of a fly structure in a fly region. A waistband system included at the top of the pelvic region for encircling the user's waist. The waistband system has an elastic housing configured to fully or partially encircle a user's waist, an elastically tensionable element having a portion slidably disposed in the housing and through an opening formed in the housing. A lock is associated with the tensionable element and the garment to allow for selective adjustment of tension in the tensionable element. The opening and lock are disposed off and away from the front pelvic region so that the front of the garment, or selected areas thereof, may have a flush finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Vans, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Vorlop, Colin C. O'Connor, Daniel J. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11317666
    Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel comprising at least one embroidery tunnel is provided. The waistband comprises at least one cord comprising a first and second end affixed to the waistband, and an intervening portion movably coupled to the waistband with stitches that form the embroidery tunnel, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a portion of the waistband. The embroidery tunnel forms a series of parallel courses across the waistband, with the cord able to move freely within the embroidery tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Y. Moore, Erika K. Anaya
  • Patent number: 11255029
    Abstract: Elastic trims and articles incorporating the same, and also methods of manufacturing and processing elastic trims and articles incorporating the same, are provided. An elastic trim may include a base textile that is knitted or woven, and may further include cables that are movably positioned in tunnel structures located within the base textile, the cables having a lower stretch characteristic than the base textile. The cables may be secured and removed at certain locations, thereby imparting a variable stretch characteristic to the elastic trim. The elastic trims may be incorporated into various articles, including waistbands, apparel, footwear, and bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Demetrio Aleman, Bruce Y. Moore
  • Patent number: 11147328
    Abstract: Various example garments, footwear articles and bags may include a closable circumference or waist or foot opening. The circumference closing system may utilize at least one constrict-able tubular length to releasably retain a selected size of the closable circumference or opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Amer Sports Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. C. Fayle, Gordon J. Betenia
  • Patent number: 11134725
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a compression garment (68) formed of a stretchable fabric (10) with a uniform, i.e. constant, elasticity but in which the compression garment provides different degrees of garment compression when worn by a wearer due to geometric cuts (6, 8) made to the fabric to form one or more fabric panels (2, 4) that extend the entire length of the circumferential portion (60) of the garment. The circumferential portion surrounds a wearer's body part (66) and includes degrees of compression that vary at different locations (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26), along the axial direction (62). The geometric cuts produce non-linear edges (6A, 6B, 8A, 8B) and are made to provide different circumferential lengths (12F, 14F, 16F, 18F, 20F, 22F, 24F, 26F) of fabric that produce desired compression levels at various axial locations, and are calculated using formulas and algorithms that take into account various factors relating to the fabric and the garment being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SANKO TEKSTIL ISLETMELERI SAN. VE TIC. A.S.
    Inventors: Ertug Erkus, Erdogan Baris Ozden, Fatma Korkmaz, Ozlem Konukoglu, Lian Kohener, Ozgur Cobanoglu, Serkan Mert, Fatih Konukoglu
  • Patent number: 10779593
    Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel comprising at least one embroidery tunnel is provided. The waistband comprises at least one cord comprising a first and second end affixed to the waistband, and an intervening portion movably coupled to the waistband with stitches that form the embroidery tunnel, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a portion of the waistband. The embroidery tunnel forms a series of parallel courses across the waistband, with the cord able to move freely within the embroidery tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Y. Moore, Erika K. Anaya
  • Patent number: 10696364
    Abstract: A friction-sealed water immersion suit is described having a suit body with a neck opening, arm openings, leg openings and an entry opening. The entry opening defines an upper section and a lower section. A friction-sealed coupling is provided at the entry opening for coupling the upper section and the lower section of the suit body. The friction-sealed coupling includes a flap on one of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material and an inner flap and an outer flap on the other of the upper section or the lower section made of an elastomeric material. The friction-sealed coupling being engaged by interleaving the flap with the inner flap and the outer flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: OCEAN RODEO SPORTS INC.
    Inventors: Ross Davis Harrington, Peter G. Berrang, Richard K. Myerscough
  • Patent number: 10455877
    Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel is provided. The waistband may comprise at least one tunnel structure through which one or more cords may extend to allow tensioning of the waistband through pulling of the cord(s), while additionally providing comfort, stretchability, breathability, and adjustability for the wearer through integration of one or more elastic or elastically resilient portions into the waistband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Y. Moore
  • Patent number: 10123573
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are abdominal-restraint garments comprising an outer garment layer and an inner abdominal-restraint layer. The inner abdominal-restraint layer can be attached to the outer garment layer. In some embodiments, a front bottom and/or back bottom of the inner abdominal-restraint layer are attached to an inner side of the outer garment layer. The front top of the inner abdominal-restraint layer can be configured to be even with the front rise of the outer garment layer or extend above the front rise of the outer garment layer. The inner abdominal-restraint layer can be configured to extend across a garment-wearer's abdominal region. In some embodiments, the abdominal-restraint garment is a pair of pants, jeans, a pair of shorts, a skirt, leggings, or tights. Also disclosed herein are methods of assembling the abdominal-restraint garments disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Spanx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tosha L. Hays, Laurie A. Goldman
  • Patent number: 9968149
    Abstract: A garment comprising an extensible garment fabric having an edge fixed in length by a relatively inextensible tape or cord, the tape or cord being made from a material which can be eliminated or made extensible by subsequent processing; and an extensible waistband, the edge of the garment fabric fixed by the tape or cord being attached to the waistband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TALON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Morris
  • Patent number: 9951936
    Abstract: A sash comprising a pressure sensitive material which reacts to the movements of an unborn baby and causes the illumination of corresponding areas of the sash on the mother's abdomen in response to the movement of the baby. The sash includes a strip of fabric or material of a selected size and shape to cover a selected portion of the abdomen of an expectant mother containing the baby. Means of fastening such as a hook and loop fastener are combined with an elastic belt secure the sash around the mother's abdomen. The touch sensitive fabric reacts to movements of the baby and causes lights over the active area to be illuminated. The result is a light show for viewers showing the unborn baby's activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Jaime R. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 9943126
    Abstract: A waistband for an article of apparel comprising at least one embroidery tunnel is provided. The waistband comprises at least one cord comprising a first and second end affixed to the waistband, and an intervening portion movably coupled to the waistband with stitches that form the embroidery tunnel, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a portion of the waistband. The embroidery tunnel forms a series of parallel courses across the waistband, with the cord able to move freely within the embroidery tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Y. Moore, Erika K. Anaya
  • Patent number: 9936749
    Abstract: A midsection shaping garment for reshaping the contours of the midsection of the wearer includes a pair of pants that has a waistband. A lower edge of an annular band is coupled to the waistband. The annular band extends upwardly from the waistband and is body-shaping. The annular extends around the abdomen and lower back of the user from the waist to near the xiphoid of the user. The improvement is the annular band coupled to and extending upwardly from the waistband such that the annular band is configured to reshape the contours of the midsection of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: Alyssa Brownlee, Don Brownlee
  • Patent number: 9936740
    Abstract: A clothing support apparatus integrated within an article of clothing and which provides ample support for expectant mothers while providing them relief from certain discomforts associated with pregnancy. The apparatus includes a set of stretchable wings which extend from a rear or back section of the apparatus to wrap around and under the expectant mother's belly, thereby providing support. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention allow for continued use of the clothing apparatus all through the expectant mother's pregnancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: goodbody goodmommy LLC
    Inventors: Erin Howard, Melissa Peard
  • Patent number: 9119426
    Abstract: A removable elastic piece is placed in the waistband of a garment to allow the garment to be worn throughout pregnancy. An elastic band covers the expanding belly of the wearer and holds the garment up. The elastic band can be removed from the garment in early pregnancy or postpartum when it is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Jennifer Skanron
  • Publication number: 20150106994
    Abstract: STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENT FOR CLOTHING WAISTBAND developed to allow a usual masculine or feminine clothing (1), either pants, Bermuda shorts, skirt, dress or the like, to include an elastic arrangement in an interrupted portion (2) dividing the waistband in two segments, a front segment (3a) and a back segment (3b), in such a way that this elastic arrangement on both sides of the clothing, left and right, is sufficient to allow the waistband to be automatically adjusted increasing or decreasing the clothing by two or more sizes and rendering the clothing more comfortable for the use, in particular when sitting down and standing up performing other movements requiring bending at the waist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Renata Moises Iwamizu Silva
  • Patent number: 8968051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crossover maternity panel that may be attached to any lower garment worn throughout pregnancy and post-partum body changes. The crossover maternity panel may be a belly panel comprised of a single piece of fabric or multiple pieces connected with seams, and wrap around from the front to the back of the wearer. The portions may overlap in the back of the wearer as they decrease in height to create a crossover triangular section that provides support to the lumbar region of the wearer. The crossover maternity panel may be attached to any lower garment such as a pant, short, skirt, skort, or the like. The flexible and stretchable material of the crossover maternity panel allows the wearer to have support for the enlarged belly, support for increased pressure and laxity on the wearer's sacroiliac joints and lower back, as well as comfort and mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ingrid & Isabel, LLC
    Inventor: Ingrid Carney
  • Publication number: 20140304892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a leg wear (01, 31) in the form of trousers (01) or of a skirt (31), comprising a lower cloth portion (06, 36) which faces the body, and a top cloth portion (05, 35) which overlaps the lower cloth portion (06, 36), wherein the cloth portions (05, 06 or 35, 36) can be removably connected to each other by means of closing means (25, 26), and comprising a lower waistband portion (04, 34) which faces the body and which adjoins the lower cloth portion (06, 36) at the top, and a top waistband portion (03, 33) which overlaps the lower waistband portion (04, 34) and which adjoins the top cloth portion (05, 35), the waistband portions (03, 04 or 33, 34) coming to rest at the same height (02) when the leg wear (01, 31) is used in a common manner, a lower guiding part (12) being arranged on the lower waistband portion (04, 34) and a top guiding part (13) of a sliding guide (11) being arranged on the top waistband portion (03, 33), said guiding parts (12, 13) being slidable relative to each other
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Dietmar SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 8763164
    Abstract: A convertible maternity garment that includes a first garment configured and arranged as a maternity garment to be worn by a woman during her maternity term and a second garment constructed from a portion of the first garment to provide a garment having a configuration for non-maternity use, where a removable portion is provided and where a first waistband and an alternate waistband are provided and configured so that both waistbands are functional waistbands that may be present on the garment simultaneously, but are selectively functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Kathy MacGillivray
  • Patent number: 8474065
    Abstract: An apparatus used in adjusting a garment or a piece of fabric and a method for implementing the same. The apparatus includes a bottom piece of fabric attached to a top piece of fabric and a piece of elastic sized to fit between the top and bottom pieces of fabric. The top piece of fabric includes two openings, one toward each end, through which the elastic piece fits. The elastic piece includes a plurality apertures sized to be able to receive buttons, which buttons are attached to the top and bottom pieces of fabric and buttoned through a corresponding aperture in the elastic piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Christina Heatherly Kingsbury, Nola Faye Heatherly
  • Patent number: 8375470
    Abstract: A garment with an adjustable waistband and modesty flap includes a garment material having a waistband that originates and terminates at a closable seam, the seam having opposed edges extending downwardly from the waistband that define a V-shaped open configuration when the edges are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration when the edges are adjacent one another. A waistband extension member extends from a waistband terminal end. A plurality of waistband fasteners are spaced apart along a waistband outer surface, each waistband fastener having a configuration complementary a waistband coupling member for selective attachment thereto. A modesty flap is attached to the garment generally adjacent one seam opposed edge and configured to extend across the seam open configuration. A plurality of flap fasteners are spaced apart along the waistband inner surface, each flap fastener having a configuration complementary to a flap coupling member for selective attachment thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Marie B. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20130031698
    Abstract: Embodiments of sporting apparel, including, shorts, pants, trousers and so forth, are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the sporting apparel may be arranged about the waist of a wearer. In various embodiments, the sporting apparel may include one or more strips of hook-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro) that may be integrated into textile layers, rather than on top thereof, to reduce bulk. In various embodiments, a flap may be provided to be folded over all or a portion of a closure of sporting apparel, to reduce a likelihood that the closure will come undone, e.g., during combative sports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EXIT 21 GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Pedro Valles
  • Patent number: 8212102
    Abstract: A diaper having front and rear waist regions and a waist-hole, the waist hole having a peripheral edge that is elastically stretchable in a circumferential direction and includes covering zones and elastic zones in the front and rear waist regions, which peripheral edge is adapted to be stretchable beyond lengths of the covering zones in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 8205270
    Abstract: Ladies' pants has an inside belt portion that is provided with an eyelet buttonhole as a second buttonhole. A moving cloth is provided inside the inside belt portion. A button is sewn on the moving cloth and is taken out from the eyelet buttonhole so as to be movable inside the eyelet buttonhole. If the button is engaged with the second buttonhole, the eyelet buttonhole is hidden under an outside belt portion. Then, the ladies' pants allows a waist size to continuously change, thereby giving a wearer a relaxed and comfortable wearing feeling. A round part of the eyelet buttonhole is located at a position corresponding to nearly a center of the moving cloth when the moving cloth returns to its original position. Then, even if the button is detached, the button can be stitched by scoop sewing through the round part of the eyelet buttonhole. Thus, the button can be surely reattached to the moving cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Koji Kato
  • Patent number: 8191176
    Abstract: Lower-body garment with a combined stretchably-retained, fastenably-split waist. The waistband is sleevelike and split by overlapping ends having circumferentially opposing mouths. A stretchable band is encapsulated in, and unfixed entirely throughout, the waistband. The stretchable band has opposing ends passing out of the opposing mouths in the waistband and coupled into an endless loop by a coupling device for adjusting the length of the stretchable band. An unfastenable locking mechanism is provided on the overlapping ends of the waistband. Opening/closing portions are formed by at least one split in a predetermined location in the garment body, extending to a common terminal position and continuous with the split in the waistband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Minami Honten Corporation
    Inventor: Takako Oomae
  • Publication number: 20120102623
    Abstract: A belt system including a waist encircling band, a plurality of spaced apart releasable attachments located about the band, and a plurality of interchangeable accessories releasably securable to the releasable attachments so as to substantially completely encircle the band and extend downwardly from the band to provide a skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Lisa T. Wiles
  • Patent number: 8122520
    Abstract: A lower-body garment is provided having a secure waist assembly. The garment includes an outer shell having a waistband. The waist assembly is attached to the interior side of the waistband at a prescribed location on the waist assembly with the remaining portions of the waist assembly being free of the outer shell. The waist assembly includes an intermediate section, end sections, and end fasteners, which cooperate to promote a secure and comfortable waist fit. When secured in place, the waist assembly wraps snuggly against the waist of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Jaco Athletics, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald L. Wilson, II
  • Publication number: 20120030861
    Abstract: A garment that includes a garment structure, a plurality of loop members, and first, second and third pocket assemblies. Each loop member is coupled to a waist portion of the garment structure and remains attached thereto in response to the application of a leash force of 37 lbf thereto. The first pocket assembly is configured to hold a plurality of disposable plastic bags and defines an opening through which the disposable plastic bags can be dispensed. The second pocket assembly is configured to receive one or more of the disposable plastic bags that have been filled with pet excrement. Each third pocket assembly is coupled to the lower portion of the garment structure and is configured to hold a tennis ball therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Renee LaRose Miller
  • Publication number: 20110296585
    Abstract: A garment system for incontinent invalids, including bariatric patients, that has pants and dresses with common features including a diaper opening, elastic at and above the waistline, elastic fabric extendable across at least a middle portion of the back of the garment near the waist-line. The garments cover the crotch of the wearer while reclined or seated, and still provide caregivers easy access to diapers. The pants feature a rear elastic belt with first and second releasably fastenable belt ends. The dress may have releasably open shoulder seams and two-petal sleeves. Faux pockets, providing concealed openings through the garment for medical equipment are included. For the pants, the crotch seam extends far enough back to cover the crotch from view when the wearer is seated or reclining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jacquelin P. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20110131705
    Abstract: A garment including a body of fabric having a waistband and at least two seams that extend from the waistband and a support structure that is connected to the at least two seams and the waistband is provided. The support structure further includes a pocket and a tape connected to the pocket that prevents elongation of the support structure between said at least two seams during the wearable life of the body of fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Waldman, Claudia Fua
  • Patent number: 7931639
    Abstract: The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Ayami Suga, Shinobu Fujikawa, Hideki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20110010824
    Abstract: Lower-body garment with a combined stretchably-retained, fastenably-split waist. The waistband is sleevelike and split by overlapping ends having circumferentially opposing mouths. A stretchable band is encapsulated in, and unfixed entirely throughout, the waistband. The stretchable band has opposing ends passing out of the opposing mouths in the waistband and coupled into an endless loop by a coupling device for adjusting the length of the stretchable band. An unfastenable locking mechanism is provided on the overlapping ends of the waistband. Opening/closing portions are formed by at least one split in a predetermined location in the garment body, extending to a common terminal position and continuous with the split in the waistband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MINAMI HONTEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takako Oomae
  • Publication number: 20110004976
    Abstract: A convertible maternity garment that includes a first garment configured and arranged as a maternity garment to be worn by a woman during her maternity term and a second garment constructed from a portion of the first garment to provide a garment having a configuration for non-maternity use, where a removable portion is provided and where a first waistband and an alternate waistband are provided and configured so that both waistbands are functional waistbands that may be present on the garment simultaneously, but are selectively functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Kathy MacGillivray
  • Patent number: 7757308
    Abstract: Clothing includes a body part, a waistband part circumferentially provided at an upper end of the body part and having opposite end portions, and a rubber band encapsulated in the waistband part. Locking units are provided on a surface of the end portion and a back face of the end portion, opposite ends of the rubber band which can be exposed from a side end of the end portion and from a hole portion formed in the back face of the end portion are coupled by a coupling unit so that a length of the rubber band can be adjusted, the opening/closing portions integral with the opposite end portions can be separated leftward and rightward, and the units are invisible from the front when the opening/closing portions are closed. Therefore, clothing with a waist size, which can be adjusted by a wearer, and with good appearance can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Minami Honten Corporation
    Inventor: Takako Oomae
  • Publication number: 20090300822
    Abstract: The sectional skirt includes multiple panels that are secured together in an easily detachable manner to form a skirt. At least four panels or sections are employed to form the skirt. Zippers or the like are utilized to detachably secure the panels together. By interchanging a panel(s) with a panel of a different color or design, the wearer can create a different look without resorting to another entire skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Richard T. Johnson, Tracey E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7516499
    Abstract: A garment with an adjustable waist is disclosed, having an opening intersecting a waist section of the garment, a closure mechanism urging the opening to a narrowed position or a widened position to adjust the girth of the waist section, and a panel bridging across the opening, the panel being hidden by the opening in a narrowed position. An embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a slide fastener extending along the opening. Another embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a waist band for extension across the opening and for selective attachment to respective fasteners located along the waist section to correspond with adjustments in the girth of the waist section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Destination Maternity Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Gardner, III
  • Publication number: 20090049584
    Abstract: A clothing system that may include a lower component of an article of clothing and one or more upper components of an article of clothing that may be sized and configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably connected to and disconnected from the lower component. For example, a first upper component may include a generally fixed waistband, and a second upper component may include an expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may connect the first upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear when not pregnant and/or during her first months of her pregnancy. The woman may later disconnect the first upper component from the lower component and then connect the second upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear during her latter months of her pregnancy and/or during her recovery from pregnancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Rachel Dawn Stones
  • Publication number: 20090049583
    Abstract: A clothing system that may include a lower component of an article of clothing and one or more upper components of an article of clothing that may be sized and configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably connected to and disconnected from the lower component. For example, a first upper component may include a generally fixed waistband, and a second upper component may include an expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may connect the first upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear when not pregnant and/or during her first months of her pregnancy. The woman may later disconnect the first upper component from the lower component and then connect the second upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear during her latter months of her pregnancy and/or during her recovery from pregnancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Rachel Dawn Stones
  • Patent number: 7418742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pants capable of lifting sagging buttocks when a user wears them, thereby giving a sense of comfort as well as a good appearance to the user. The pants include elastic first wings, wherein each one side of the first wings is seamed with both outer edges of the upper portion of a rear fabric panel in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the first wings is seamed with a front fabric panel along zipper seam lines, respectively, and second wings wherein each one side of the second wings is seamed, independent from the first wings, to the portions seamed with the first wings in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the second wings is seamed with each end of band stitched to both upper end portions of the front fabric panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Dae-kyu Yoo
  • Patent number: 7395556
    Abstract: A labor and delivery outfit designed to provide function, comfort and dignity, comprises: a sleeveless, wrap shirt having an upper portion with nursing flaps, lower portions extending from the flaps, a back having straps, lower portions defining an opening therebetween; a built-in, supporting, nursing bra with nursing cups, releasable fasteners for covering the nursing cups, and, a wrap skirt having an elastic waist, a built-in pregnancy panel, and, a rear zipper. Releasable fasteners are provided for fastening the rear lower portions to the upper portion of the shirt, thereby providing access to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Jennifer A. Eraca
  • Publication number: 20070261150
    Abstract: Clothing includes a body part, a waistband part circumferentially provided at an upper end of the body part and having opposite end portions, and a rubber band encapsulated in the waistband part. Locking units are provided on a surface of the end portion and a back face of the end portion, opposite ends of the rubber band which can be exposed from a side end of the end portion and from a hole portion formed in the back face of the end portion are coupled by a coupling unit so that a length of the rubber band can be adjusted, the opening/closing portions integral with the opposite end portions can be separated leftward and rightward, and the units are invisible from the front when the opening/closing portions are closed. Therefore, clothing with a waist size, which can be adjusted by a wearer, and with good appearance can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: MINAMI HONTEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takako Oomae
  • Patent number: 7159621
    Abstract: An elastic material includes a plurality of zones. Each of the zones has a particular modulus of elasticity associated with it and the distribution of the zones throughout the elastic material causes the material to have a variation of modulus of elasticity along a particular direction in the material. The elastic material includes a weft, which includes a relatively inelastic component, and a warp, which includes the relatively inelastic component together with the relatively elastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Maidenform, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine Shannon
  • Patent number: 7048013
    Abstract: An elastic material includes a plurality of zones. Each of the zones has a particular modulus of elasticity associated with it and the distribution of the zones throughout the elastic material causes the material to have a variation of modulus of elasticity along a particular direction in the material. The elastic material includes a weft, which includes a relatively inelastic component, and a warp, which includes the relatively inelastic component together with the relatively elastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Maidenform, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine Shannon
  • Patent number: 6880175
    Abstract: In a waist expanding and contracting structure for pants or the like of a type having waist pockets, a waist part 1 consists of a front waist part 2, a back waist part 3, and a side waist part 4. The structure includes a first elastic member 14 which is positioned between a front waist surface cloth 6 and a front waist reverse cloth 8 with its one end sewn to the side waist part and with its other end sewn to both the front waist surface cloth and the front waist reverse cloth by sewing together, and a second elastic member 15 which is positioned at the rear of the side waist part 4 with its one end sewn to the back waist part 3 and with its other end sewn to the front waist reverse cloth 8. A side cloth 13 is folded back to be sewn to a hemmed edge P1 of the waist pocket, and a pocket bag 17 to be opened and closed by a fastener 16 is provided between the front body part 5 and a reverse cloth 7 of the front body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Phenix
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tajima, Shoko Okuda