Abstract: The invention relates to a tumble dryable item of apparel, in particular a suit jacket, comprising a plurality of inner surface and outer surface garment sections, wherein at least one of the outer surface garment sections includes natural fiber and at least one of the inner surface garment sections includes synthetic fiber and has shape memory, and at least one synthetic interface tape between an inner surface garment section and an outer surface garment sections, wherein the synthetic interface tape is fixed on a location of the jacket such that the jacket substantially retains its shape through a tumble dry cycle.

Abstract: Liquidproof seams are formed between laminates, most preferably those having a complex textile structure on the sealing side of the laminate, where at least a portion of the complex textile in the sealing region is removed, such as by skiving, to reduce the thickness in the seam, or sealing region, prior to the creation of a durably sealed liquidproof seam.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wrinkle-free garment seams and garments made therefrom comprises (a) placing a bonding element comprising a thermal adhesive between garment components; (b) stitching along a seam line; and (c) applying heat and/or pressure to cause the adhesive to melt and flow along the seam to bond at least one garment component. The thermal adhesive has a melting point of higher than about 150° C., preferably in the range about 160° C. to about 190° C. Alternatively, a bonding element comprising any adhesive material and having a substantially U shape is used to make various seams, such as a yoke seam, a shoulder seam, a side seam, a pocket seam, a hem button stay seam, a sleeve seam, a collar seam, etc. Wrinkle free garments, such as shirts, pants, blouses, skirts, etc., incorporating the seams are produced.

Abstract: A suit that has excellent comfort during regular wearing and while using a wheelchair includes a top having a back body having a left half back body and a right half back body, a back body center joint line for constituting a back seam and located at a center of the back body, a left back body dividing seam line for dividing the left half back body in a middle portion in its width direction and located between the back body center joint line and a side seam of the left half, and a right back body dividing seam line for dividing the right half back body in a middle portion in its width direction and located between the back body center joint line and a side seam of the right half.

Abstract: A pair of stretchable athletic pants comprising one or more panels attached together by one or more seams to form the pants in which at least one of the seams comprises an overlapping bonded seam is disclosed. The stretchable athletic pants, for example, may comprise one or more overlapping bonded seams and one or more other type of seam, such as a stitched seam. In one embodiment, for example, a plurality of overlapping seams are formed around the perimeter of the pants until only one seam remains to form the pants. In this embodiment, the final seam may be stitched or otherwise connected to complete the manufacture of the pants.

Abstract: The present invention involves a single layered printed fabric for applying a printed fabric pattern to an object. The printed fabric has a predetermined shape corresponding to the printed fabric pattern. The printed fabric includes first and second portions disposed adjacent each other, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The third portion is printed on the first and second portions, wherein the third portion represents a simulated stitch attaching the first portion to the second portion. The fourth portion is printed on the first portion, wherein the fourth portion represents a simulated stitch hole to simulate an appearance of a hole through which the stitch disposes to simulate an appearance that the first portion is a top layer stitched onto the second portion which is a bottom layer.

Abstract: The invention discloses a textile laminate (1, 400, 450) with a first layer (5) comprising a waterproof and preferably breathable functional layer (10, 20) and a second layer (30) comprising at least a first component and a second component. The first component is stable to a first temperature and the second component melts at a lower second temperature. In one embodiment of the invention, the first component is polyester and the second component may be a thermoplastic such as copolyester, polyamide, copolyamide or polyethylene. The textile laminate (1) is particularly advantageous when two of such laminates (1, 400, 450) have to be joined or fused together. In this case a waterproof seam is created at the seam (500) between the two laminates (1, 400, 500).

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminated assembly seam for an outdoor garment in accordance with the present invention, comprising: a top panel having a panel body with at least one folded edge; a bottom panel having a panel body with at least one seam edge, the seam edge being positioned below and extending beyond the folded edge of the top panel; a narrow thermally meltable compound sandwiched between the top panel body and the folded edge; a wide thermally meltable compound placed above the seam edge of the bottom panel and sandwiched between the folded edge and the seam edge of the bottom panel; a stitching line stitching through the seam edge of the bottom panel, the wide meltable polyurethane resin, the folded edge of the top panel and the narrow thermally meltable polyurethane resin without stitching through the top panel body of the top panel.

Abstract: A garment adapted for attachment of a label subsequent to the substantially complete manufacture of the garment, where the garment comprises a joining seam between two garment components joined together to form a collar portion of the garment; and a strip which covers a portion of the joining seam, wherein a length of the strip is not attached on at least one side, thereby exposing the joining seam in order to facilitate the attachment of the label.

Abstract: A garment has a particular stitched seam that very effectively cooperates with a seam sealing tape to provide an effective and long lasting seal at the seam. First and second portions of the fabric are joined together by a stitched seam comprising a 300 class stitch with Top stitch, using about Tex 30 or smaller thread, and the seam sealing tape seals the stitched seam. The thread may comprise a polyester continuous filament sewing thread size Tex 30-10, with about 8-10 stitches per inch. The 300 class stitch may comprise a plain stitch, and the stitched seam may comprise a superimposed seam. The seam is readily produced using either a Single or Double Lockstitch Machine which contains one or two needles, one or two hooks, and one or two bobbins, respectively.

Abstract: An emblem for embroidery stitching directly to a substrate is disclosed which provides an emblem which can be readily embroidered. The emblem includes a fabric layer with a thermoplastic adhesive coating one side of the fabric layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating the thermoplastic adhesive to provide an emblem which can temporarily adhere to a substrate. The emblem can thus be temporarily secured during embroidery and prevent distortion of the emblem. Following embroidery, the emblem is heat-sealed to a substrate and the thermoplastic adhesive coating penetrates through the pressure sensitive adhesive for attachment of the emblem to the substrate.

Abstract: A device for fitting onto a foot and ankle of a human body which is a thermoformable element suitable for being thermoformed onto the foot. This element includes a first part and a second part which are joined together in an edge-edge relationship. Each of the first and second parts is formed of a sheet of thermoformable material. The sheet of the first part has a different thickness or density than the sheet of the second part. The first part extends over the foot and the second extends around the ankle. A third part can be joined in edge-to-edge relationship to the first and second parts and extends over the top of the foot.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric, which may be produced by modified endless weaving, includes machine-direction (MD) and cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. When so produced, the MD yarns weave continuously back and forth between the two widthwise edges of the fabric, each time forming a seaming loop at one of the two widthwise edges. Interwoven with at least one of the two sides, top and bottom, of the seaming loops at one or both widthwise edges are at least two additional CD yarns. The additional CD yarns interweave with the top and/or bottom of the seaming loops in a leno weave, which keeps the seaming loops in a common position vertically relative to the plane of the papermakers fabric, locks the seaming loops into a desired position and orientation with their planes perpendicular to that of the papermaker's fabric.

Abstract: A survival garment (10) is disclosed which is suitable for wearing under a layer of clothing. The garment is a close fitting one piece, intermediate dry suit formed of a substantially waterproof laminated material (30). The material (30) includes a first thermally insulating layer (32) and a second substantially waterproof layer (31).

Abstract: The invention provides a process, and product thereof, for forming a chemically resistant fusion bonded seal between chemically dissimilar materials by use of a chlorinated polyolefin film for protective garments. The process involves placing the chlorinated polyolefin film between two dissimilar films such as a facepiece and the fabric film of the garment and applying heat and pressure. The resulting fusion bonded film composite is strong, flexible and upon the application of sufficient stress exhibits total cohesive rupture failure.

Abstract: A disposable protective garment 1 has bands 8 of elastomeric material at the wrists and/or ankles and/or around the hood 5. Each band 8 is joined to the garment by a welded or adhesively-bonded seam and extends from the garment to encircle closely the adjacent part of the body of the wearer. Each band 8 is joined in a stretched condition to the garment 1 and is then allowed to relax, thereby forming gathers 9 in the garment 1.

Abstract: Garments and apparel that animate subsurface muscles, joints and tendons. The garments can include athletic wear such as leggings that conform to both the thigh and calf of a user and arm coverings that conform over the arm, and even over the torso of the body. Other applications can include dancewear, theatrical costuming, medical and therapeutic products. The garment can include seams about slits, each slit being parallel to one another running down the exterior sides of the leggings and arm coverings. Sewn to the edges of the slits, beneath the slits can be a sublayer elastic material having a different color and/or texture than the surface color and/or texture of the garment. Alternatively, instead of seams, the material can be formed from a chemically or another technically produced fabric that has designated stretch and non-stretch areas engineered at selected locations.

Abstract: A close-fitting garment, especially a swimsuit, has panels of elastic stretch fabric joined at seams and shaped to conform with muscle groups of the body, in particular in the abdominal region and at the gluteal region.

Abstract: The seams for joining together, along the crotch, the pieces of fabric making up the article and/or for closing the toes of the legs, are made with two needle threads (F1, F2) and one looper thread (F3) that forms a chain stitch, all of them forming long stitches, in such a way that, under the stretching of the garment as it is put on, the seams become essentially “flat”, that is to say very thin and certainly much thinner than they are wide.

Abstract: A flangeless seam especially useful in disposable articles, such as training pants, incontinence articles and the like. The first member preferably has a first proximal portion and a first distal portion. The first distal portion is preferably folded upon at least a portion of the first proximal portion to provide a common interface between the first distal portion and the first proximal portion when the seam is in the seaming configuration. The first proximal portion preferably has a first melting point and the first distal portion preferably has a second melting point which is relatively lower than the first melting point. The seam also includes a second member preferably having a second proximal portion and a second distal portion. The second member preferably has a third melting point which is lower than the first melting point.

Abstract: An article of apparel comprising a first segment and a second segment of substantially similar shape, each having at least two side margins parallel to a central line and at least one margin at an angle to the central line. One segment has flap extensions along selected margins for folded securement to the other segment thus forming a garment with folded external seams. In a three segment embodiment, one panel is constructed from two similarly shaped half-width segments that are overlapped to form an openable panel, with resealable closure means. In another two panel embodiment, both half width panels are partially overlapped to form a central 2-ply area, portions of which are bonded together in a region that becomes the rear panel. After rear portions of the bonded segments are folded in half over and around a transverse fold line, front and rear panels are connected with side flaps.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components sewn together along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components and into interstices thereby creating a seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: Load distribution shoulder pads (12, 14) for a backpack (10). Each shoulder pad is constructed from a first cushioned layer (16) and a second cushioned layer (18). Each cushioned layer is covered by a corresponding fabric layer (20, 22). The cushioned layers are contoured by the formation of a skived longitudinal recess (66) cut into the interior surface (62) of each cushioned layer along the perimeter edge (64) of the cushioned layer, defining a reduced thickness perimeter lip (70) around each cushioned layer. For assembly, the cushioned layers are placed exterior fabric side against exterior fabric side and a cushioned layer/fabric seam allowance (74) is sewn with stitching (76). The shoulder pad is then reversed inside-out, such that the seam allowances are received between the cushioned layers within a cavity (78) defined by the opposing skived recesses. The shoulder pad has a uniform thickness and density across the entire width, and uncomfortable pressure ridges are avoided.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between opposing surface of a garment component along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment component thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the surfaces of the garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of sewing thread at the seam.

Abstract: An article of composite design for attachment to another fabric article, comprising an underlying layer of twill on one side of which an ink portion of the composite design has been screen printed and heat cured. The twill is cut into a desired shape so that the twill and the ink portion form the composite design, the portion of the twill without ink printed thereon forming a substantial portion of the composite design. Methods of making and attaching the composite design are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved geotextile container of the type for maintaining fill material includes a geotextile fabric configured into a tubular shape and having stitched, multi-layer, flanged seams with the stitched flange disposed inside the container. Due to this construction, outwardly directed forces imparted by the fill material will be directed against the stitching. An embodiment has a helical seam along the length thereof instead of one or more longitudinal straight seams. An alternative container embodiment with a helical seam along the length thereof, has an inner liner of geotextile material having one or more longitudinal straight seams. Another alternative container embodiment with an outer layer of geotextile material having an helical seam along the length thereof, has an inner liner of geotextile material having its own helical seam configured with a different pitch than the helical seam in the outer layer.

Abstract: An iron on pocket for a shirt and other articles of clothing including a piece of flexible screen mesh material in the shape of a pocket and having a mesh size sufficiently large to permit viewing of the pattern and coloring of the clothing material and for easy water drainage and drying when used for a swimwear garment pocket. A separate strip of fabric may be attached centrally along the top margin of the pocket to define an eyeglass stem receiving loop for retaining a pair of eyeglasses. An alternate embodiment utilizes two part hook and loop material such as VELCRO for attachment of the pocket to other substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternating seam for joining two pieces of stretchable fabric. The alternating seam can be used for making garments, such as pant garments. The alternating seam has a non-inverted seam that extends from a seam inversion point to a desired length below the seam inversion point. Outer sides of the two fabric pieces are in opposing contact with each other along the non-inverted seam. The alternating seam also includes an inverted seam that extends upwardly from the seam inversion point. Inner sides of the two fabric pieces are in opposing contact with each other along the inverted seam. The alternating seam includes an overlapping seam, which may be an extension of the non-inverted seam, extending upwardly from the seam inversion point and curving outwardly to the inverted seam. A pant garment using the alternating seam can be made without any fasteners or elastic.

Abstract: A garment is constructed by forming panels of first and second matching layers of two new and useful polyester fabrics sewn together along their edges. The composite panels are sewn together in such a fashion as to create a garment that will provide an effective barrier to dirt and dust particles.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second surfaces of a garment component along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second surfaces of the garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam and a sewing thread is used to bind the components together into a seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A repair patch for worn or damaged garment pockets in accordance with this invention comprises a pocket-like member corresponding substantially in size and configuration to the lowermost portion of a pocket to be repaired. Substantially the entire outer surfaces of the repair patch contains a heat sensitive glue capable of being activated at such time as the patch has been inserted into the lowermost portion of the pocket to be repaired. The heat sensitive glue, when activated by heat and pressure applied from the exterior of the pocket, serves to retain the patch securely in position within the lowermost portion of the pocket. Significantly, the patch has an interiorly-turned seam, which seam is reinforced by the glue that had been applied to the exterior surfaces of the patch. The glue-reinforced seam is disposed along an interior outer edge of the patch, such positioning of the seam having been achieved by turning the patch inside out after the seam had been created.

Abstract: Improved material utilization and barrier protection for surgical sleeves is provided by improved garment pattern design and methods of assembly. The surgical sleeve of the present invention is formed from a single sheet of material. By folding the sheet of material, a reinforcing layer integral with a sleeve layer is formed. A dual layered sleeve having two integral sleeve layers is also formed by folding a single sheet of material. One of the sleeve layers of the dual layered sleeve may be folded so as to form a reinforcing layer integral with said sleeve layer.

Abstract: A pucker free pocket seam for a shirt providing the shirt with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between folded portions of a first garment component along a seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the folded portions of the first garment component thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the folded portions of the first garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread at the seam.

Abstract: An improved pair of socks is disclosed for human feet. The improvement comprises providing a distinctive color indicator on each sock of the pair, in a location that will be covered by the shoe of the wearer, to facilitate pairing of the socks which comprise the pair, wherein the color of the indicator is selected so as to be capable of distinguishing the socks of the pair from other socks of similar or like color and of the same size. A process is also disclosed for making pairs of socks of a predetermined size including a color indicator for facilitating pairing of socks.

Abstract: A reinforced viral resistant seam for an article of protective apparel constructed by arranging first and second thermoplastic webs and at least one reinforcing strip thermally bondable with the webs along a common seam edge. An ultrasonic welding wheel having a cutting edge immediately adjacent to the welding surface is used to form a vital resistant, comfortable, high tensile strength seam suitable for articles of protective apparel.

Abstract: A security pocket assembly for use in combination with a garment of the type having a pair of leg portions, each terminating in an open lower end, the pocket assembly including at least one material panel secured along an interior of at least one of the leg portions, near an open lower end of the leg portion, so as to define a compartment, the leg portion further including a slit disposed therein, the slit being positioned to correspond an open top edge of the material panel so as to provide access to an interior of the compartment from an exterior of the leg portion, while not being substantially visible from an exterior of the leg portion.

Abstract: A flangeless seam especially useful in disposable articles, such as training pants, incontinence articles and the like. The flangeless seam preferably comprises a first member and a second member; at least a portion of the second member overlaps at least a portion of the first member. The flangeless seam preferably further comprises a barrier member disposed between at least a portion of the overlapping portions of the first member and the second member forming a laminate having a seam area. A joining means is preferably disposed in at least a portion of the seam area joining at least a portion of the first member to at least a portion of the second member, the barrier member preventing at least a portion of the first member from becoming joined with at least a portion of the second member.

Abstract: Cloth transfers such as twill numbers and letters include a cloth layer coated with a plastic layer which is, in turn, coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The intermediate plastic layer permits the cloth transfer to be temporarily bonded to a cloth substrate by a very thin film of pressure sensitive adhesive as it is sewn onto the substrate. The intermediate plastic layer prevents the sewing needle from being gummed up with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A mitten for maintaining hand warmth in extreme temperature is described as well as a method for manufacturing the mitten without the necessity for molding.

Abstract: A piece of trim having a hard finish is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the outer shell which is formed of fire retardant material. A thread protector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the trim, and a thread forming a line of stitching extends through the thread protector, trim and shell to hold the trim in place. The thread includes exposed portions, and the thread protector is formed of soft material and extends away from opposite sides of the exposed portions of the thread. The thread protector also is spaced from the outer surface of the trim a greater distance than the tops of the exposed portions of the thread so that if an object approaches the sides of the exposed portions, it will first contact an edge of the thread protector and cause the thread protector to fold over the exposed portions of the thread to prevent abrasion thereof.

Abstract: An invalid garment 10 having at least one seam 12-18. The seam 12-18 includes mating attaching members 36, 38 which are adapted to selectively close and open the seam. A method of making garment 10 is also disclosed and includes the steps of opening a closed seam and inserting members 36, 38 into the seam.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method of manufacture utilizes a bonding element which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding element to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: Two cloths stretchable in all the directions can be sewed together beautifully. Each stretchable cloth includes an outer edge, a first sewing line situated away from the outer edge to thereby form a free end between the outer edge and the first sewing line, and a main portion. The cloths are laminated and sewed along the first sewing lines to form an outer stitch. Then, at least one of the two stretchable cloths is turned, so that the free ends of the stretchable cloths are covered by at least one of the main portions. Thereafter, the stretchable cloths are sewed along a second sewing line outside the free ends while the free ends are stretched in a direction away from the second sewing line to thereby form a holding stitch. Accordingly, the two stretchable cloths are sewed beautifully and stretchably.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method of manufacture utilizes a bonding element which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding element to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A heat sealable, adhesive-free seam and closure fabrics and clothing comprising the combination of a fabric scrim and a heat sealable water and vapor resistant coextruded laminations which provides a barrier against liquid substances and vapors. The coextrusion laminations are in abutment or overlap and comprise a film layer with an outer and inner layer of low density polyethylene and an intermediate layer of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. The laminations are fusion bonded to a portion of the scrim in a manner whereby the polyethylene flows from said lamination, encapsulates the ends of the intermediate layer of the laminate and forms weld points with the said scrim to prevent penetration by liquid substances and vapors.

Abstract: A disposable protective gown having a body portion with an upper part formed to extend over the shoulders of the wearer of the gown. The upper part includes a centrally located aperture for passage of the wearer's head. A pair of sleeves extend outwardly from opposite sides of the upper part and each comprise a generally conical member that is attached at one end along 360 degrees of its circumference to the upper part. The orientation of each sleeve is provided by an integral thumb loop at the hand end of the sleeve. A heat seal weld joins the sleeve and body portion at a welded interface which extends along 330 degrees of the circumference of the base of the sleeves. Another heat seal extends along the length of each of the sleeves until it intersects and extends a little beyond the 360 degree weld to form as somewhat "L-shaped" seal for added strength.

Abstract: An inner lining for an item of equipment used at least temporarily to cover parts of the body includes at least one layer of cut sections, at least one textile material (2) and at least one semipermeable membrane (1), attached together on joining lines. The individual layers are thereby assembled over their entire areas in a non-slip and semipermeable manner. The joining lines (8a) of the membrane parts (1', 1") are welded, while those (8b) of the parts (2', 2") of a first textile material are joined independently of the membrane (1), preferably by sewing.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and similar polymers and methods for forming and using such compositions. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention employs a mixture of PTFE and expandable thermoplastic microspheres. Through application of an energy source to the mixture, a coherent three dimensional expansion of PTFE can be achieved. The expanded mixture has many of the same beneficial properties of mechanically expanded PTFE and numerous properties previously unavailable with expanded PTFE products.

Abstract: A shirt, to be worn on the upper torso of an individual having a waist and waist circumference and a chest and chest circumference, having an upper portion corresponding to the chest area and an upper portion circumference and a lower portion corresponding to the waist area and lower portion circumference wherein the upper portion circumference of the shirt is substantially less than the chest circumference of the wearer and the lower portion circumference is substantially the same as the waist circumference of the wearer. Reinforcement members and panels can be affixed to the shirt to provide additional strength. The shirt can be made of stretchable material and used in weightlifting or for medical rehabilitation.