Abstract: A method utilizes a group of four stitchings and a nylon cord which are implemented into the seam of an article of clothing to create a tear-resistant seam. The first step in the sequence of stitching is a serging stitch which attaches the two pieces of material together, creating a seam. The second step is to sew a nylon cord in the seam created by the serging stitch by way of a first zigzag stitch. The first serging stitch and the first zigzag stitch are adjacent to each other and do not overlap one another. The third step is to stitch two lines of straight stitching adjacent to each other and directly adjacent to the first zigzag stitch of the second step. The fourth and final step is a second zigzag stitch which will overlap the first zigzag stitch and the first of the two lines of straight stitch of the third step. Upon completion of these four steps, the newly created seam is tear-resistant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female garment with an infolding or cleft at the surface level of the labia majora to subtly define the contours of the external female genitalia. The linear infolding is in the sagittal plane of the body and has a first material which represents the outer cloth surface of the female garment and a second, firmer material which is attached to the inner surface of the first material so that the subtle contours of the external female genitalia are maintained throughout the infolding. Alternatively, the features of the external female genitalia in situ may be represented in a variety of female garments by utilizing first and second layers where the first layer constitutes material of the female garment and the second layer constitutes material of a different color or texture from that of the first material.

Abstract: Shirred pants having a shirring on and along the entire length of front and rear centerlines of pant legs have a fancy appearance and an aesthetic effect improved by fine ripples in an adequate number provided over the whole length of the pants by the shirring. Such shirred pants are readily and economically fabricated from four longitudinally extended quarters per pant leg, having an arcuate plane shape with a sideseam of a standard length of the pants or an inseam side of a standard under-crotch length, as a short arc, and with a centerline side of a length ranging 100-160% of the standard length, as a long arc. Front quarters and rear quarters are seamed together, respectively, at the centerline sides, to form front and rear halves of a pant leg which are then shirred along the entire length of the centerline to gather the long arc substantially to the standard length under a tensionless condition. With the thus shirred halves, the pants are made up according to a usual procedure.

Abstract: An airbag restraint system for an automotive vehicle is comprised of an airbag including a bag-shaped section. The bag-shaped section is formed by sewing a sheet material into a bag-shape, forming a sewed section. The sewed section has a low strength part which is openable under action of an internal pressure of the gas inside the airbag during inflation of the airbag, so that a passenger's head is protected from an impact or reaction from the inflated airbag during a serious vehicle collision. A generally frame-shaped reinforcement patch is fixedly attached on the inside surface of the airbag in such a manner as to expose a major part of the low strength sewed part, thereby defining the low strength sewed part having a predetermined size.

Abstract: A process or method for altering pants so that they can be used either as shorts or long pants. The process comprises taking a pair of long pants and marking a predetermined length for shorts around the circumference of the legs at the predetermined length. Permanently attaching a first fastener strip to the circumference of the leg of the pants at the predetermined length for shorts. Cutting the first fastener strip and pants along the center of the first fastener strip so that the first fastener strip is cut in half at its center and the pants are cut leaving two separate severed lower leg portions which have half of the first fastener strips at the top edge and an upper pants portion forming shorts which has half of the first fastener strip at the bottom edge of each leg portion of the shorts. Taking a second fastener strip and attaching it to the first fastener strip at the bottom edge of each leg of the shorts to form shorts.

Abstract: A liquid proof seam construction is provided. A double needle flat-felled seam is constructed having a melt adhesive polymer film disposed within the seam. The seam is then passed through a hot air/pressure device which melts the film and compresses the seam. This forms a liquid, e.g. waterproof, bond between adjacent layers of material and also fills up any area around the stitching formed by needle holes.

Abstract: A method of altering an article of clothing which has the steps of: (a) making at least two cuts into the material of the article of clothing to form a strip of material of a predetermined length attached at both ends to the material; (b) cutting the strip to form a pair of strips with free ends; and (c) reattaching the pair of strips together to form an altered article of clothing. The article of clothing as altered is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical garment having a sleeve reinforcement that reduces the fluid strike through. The sleeve reinforcement is wider than the sleeve panel. The sleeve seam is sewn without the sleeve reinforcement. The edges of the sleeve reinforcement are then glued in an overlapping manner over the sleeve seam.

Abstract: Bonded seams for joining nonwoven, spunbonded polyolefin fabric to itself are prepared by overlapping of edge regions of the fabric with linen sides of the fabric in contact with one another and first applying heat and pressure along a seam line by means of ultrasonic energy and an embossed wheel, giving a lightly bonded strip. The strip is then folded against an adjacent surface, and heat and pressure are applied from the opposite side of the fabric and over the underlying folded-over strip. This procedure in effect merges the bond produced by the second application of heat and pressure with the first bond, giving a strong bond. Cleanroom and protective garments may be fabricated to include such seams, with the side of the seamed fabric that has a remaining cut edge at the seam being disposed on the inside of the garment. Such garments avoid release of microscopic particles such as occurs for stitched seams.

Abstract: A protective garment made of material which includes a high barrier, multi-layer film incorporating EVOH laminated to a spun bonded polyester substrate. The film is a five layer construction with a layer of EVOH in the middle, bracketed by water resistant bonding resin layers and outer layers of polyethylene or polyester. The substrate is formed with low temperature binders and is calendered on both sides, the outer side being calendered much more extensively than the inner side. The material is joined together at pattern edges by thermal bonding under pressure or by a strip of the film thermal bonded to material segments.

Abstract: Structure for retaining and confining the side-by-side edges and edge portions of stretchable elastomer sheets, comprises, in combination with the sheets, edges and edge portions:(a) a stretchable smooth surfaced band folded into U-shape over such edges to define band portions extending at opposite outer sides of the sheet side-by-side edge portions, (b) and stitching extending through those folded band portions and through the sheet edge portions in spaced relation to the sheet edges, the stitching tightened to locally compress the sheets along a linear zone extending parallel to such edges and spaced therefrom, the edges and edge portions then everywhere confined and covered by the U-shaped band.

Abstract: A pant garment is formed of two front panels connected to each other to form a fly and crotch and connected to a bakc panel to form side seams and an inseam with an improvement in the stitching therein of a reenforcing fabric across said crotch and into an end portion of an inner fly.

Abstract: A method of waterproofing the stitch lines of padding material having a high degree of thermal insulation, usable in clothing and the like comprises the step of applying a tape composed of a support layer of polyamide fibre fabric, a waterproofing layer of polyurethane resin, and an adhesive layer of great adhesion and cohesion and based on elastomers.

Abstract: A method for forming either half-felled seams or full-felled seams about associated selected edges of first and second workpieces during the joining together thereof, includes the steps of orienting the first and second workpieces such that the first is overlying the second with the selected edge of the second workpiece overlapping the selected edge of the first workpiece by a width "W" substantially the same as the width of the desired half-felled seam; folding the overlapping edge of the second workpiece over the underlapping edge of the first workpiece, for forming a half-felled seam, or additionally folding the first workpiece over the formed half-felled seam to the extent of the width "W" for forming a full-felled seam; and joining together the material of the first and second workpieces along the width "W" of the formed seam, thereby completing the latter.

Abstract: A cuff construction having readily accessible coverings for hands, feet and head is provided. The cuff is generally integrally attached to an article of clothing, and folds in on itself for storing the coverings. The cuff is formed at an opening in a garment, such as a glove, sleeve, neck or leg and included a panel along about one half of the circumference of the opening with the two adjacent edges of the panel secured to the cuff. The panel is switchable between a first open position allowing the head, hand or foot to pass through and a second closed position forming a covering around the appendage. The covering may take the form of a glove or mitten, a sock or shoe, or a ski mask or the like. A pocket for ready storage may also be provided.

Abstract: A seam assembly for joining adjacent web panels, comprising a bound seam on a first side of the adjacently positioned web panels, and a liquid penetration-resistant tape longitudinally and sealingly extending along the seam line formed by the bound seam on a second side of the adjacently positioned panels. Also disclosed is a protective garment article utilizing a seam assembly of such type, and an appertaining method of forming such seam assembly. The seam assembly of the invention is highly useful in forming hazardous material suits, of a type employed to clean up liquid and solid chemical spills, and the like.

Abstract: A seam for a wetsuit, involving overlock stitching (23) of the edges (21,22) to be joined and the subsequent introduction of the material (25) having suitable elasticity/recovery properties, such as a polymer, into the well or groove (24) of the seam. Examples of suitable materials are polyurethane, natural rubber latex, silicone and Hypalon. The method of forming the seam involves overlock stitching of the seam for a portion of the wetsuit, positioning the portion on a jig and injecting the material into the well or groove of the seam, and allowing the material to dry or cure before removing the wetsuit portion from the jig.

Abstract: A removable cover for an outdoor table or a bench, each of which would include four corners. In one embodiment of the removable cover, the cover includes a plurality of interconnecting panels having a pair of opposed outermost panels. Each of the pair of outermost panels has a pair of opposed panel sides and a pair of corners including a seam at each corner such that when the cover removably lodges over the top of the rectangular surface of the table or the bench, each of the seams essentially snugly engages the general vertical section of one of the corners of the rectangular surface of the table or the bench, and a breadth depending skirt is integrally formed. In another embodiment of the removable cover, the removable cover includes a sheet instead of a plurality of panels. The sheet may also include the seams with the skirt. At least one loop is secured to each of the pair of outermost panels between the respective pair of seams.

Abstract: This seam, particularly for jean and denim fabric, comprises a string element defining stitches formed by a saddlery sewing machine and joining together fabric flaps to be interconnected.

Abstract: A protective garment of layered material in which an inner layer is spun bonded olefin and an outer layer is of a bondable film. Seams are constructed by overlapping regions of material with an outside and inside surface adjacent, and by bonding via the continuous application of ultrasonic heating and spaced application of pressure.

Abstract: A method for bonding seams in protective garments without use of any stitching, by applying high-frequency ultrasonic waves of pressure to overlapping edges of fabric of non-woven spunbonded olefin or polyolefin having laminated to one side thereof a polyethylene or polyvinylidine chloride film.

Abstract: A sleeve shaped protector for a portion of a limb is manufactured from a sheet of cloth comprising a core of resilient, porous material laminated upon both faces with a sparse fabric. The sheet is cut to suitable size and rolled into a tubular member, whereupon a strip of fabric, being substantially non-resilient in its transverse direction is laid to cover the joint between the meeting edges of the sheet. The strip and the sheet are then sewn together using a machine having at least two needles to each side of the joint, the machine further having means for criss-crossing the threads from the needle to opposite sides of the joint, across the latter, at the face of the cloth remote from the strip.

Abstract: Toe closing socks first involves stretching them flat on a carrier, then one of the resulting confronting layers of fabric is effectively held substantially immobile by a fabric-holding device and the other layer is displaced longitudinally relative thereto by a movable displacing means brought into engagement therewith. Maintaining the layers mutually displaced, for example by clamping them to one another, they are conveyed past a sewing machine and seamed. By seaming the layers together while they are mutually displaced, the seam will adopt an overfoot or underfoot position in the finished sock due to readjustment of the fabric and the return of the layers to their normal relaxed relative dispositions.

Abstract: A method of making a seam in laminated textile fabric. The edges of a pair of sheets of fabric are separately stitched with reinforcing stitching and the stitched edges are then positioned in lapping relation. A layer of a thermoadhesive is interposed between the lapping edges and on the application of heat and pressure to the lapping edges the thermoadhesive layer will melt and permeate the fabric, as well as the stitching, to provide a tight and waterproof seam.

Abstract: In a method of basting in the tailoring of clothes wherein an adhesive is used to secure the cloth, the improvement wherein said adhesive comprises as the main component a liquid, addition-reaction-type silicone polymer. Said basting method is applicable to basting interlinings and/or shoulder pads to front bodices, basting two back bodices and the like to simplify and automatize the tailoring process.

Abstract: Self-sealing seam construction for recreational fabrics and other uses reducing the tendency to permit water penetration and leaking. The seam includes the use of one of a number of overlapping type seams formed with water resistant fabrics. In the overlapped area, between the fabrics, a strip or tape of highly resilient, nontacky, weather resistant elastomeric material is provided. The seam is formed by one or more stitching lines placed so that the sewing needle penetrates not only the overlapped fabrics but the elastomeric strip as well. The highly resilient nature of the elastomeric strip causes it to stretch and eventually aperture under the action of the needle and, when the needle is withdrawn, the elastic strip tends to return to its original position thus closing the aperture tightly around the thread positioned within the aperture by the sewing needle. The result is a tightly formed seal minimizing any open area remaining from the sewing operation.

Abstract: A method for making garments having fused seams. A strip of double-sided fusible tape is placed adjacent a seam and the tape is pressed between the seam and an adjacent panel of fabric, a free end of which forms part of the seam, and then the seam is steam-pressed against the panel, bonding the seam to the panel. Alternatively, the tape is placed adjacent the fabric prior to sewing and thereby forms part of the seam.

Abstract: The invention provides antistatic clothing suitable for wear in a room which is kept clean. The clothing, such as working clothes, work shoes, etc., manufactured from a cloth having parallel electroconductive fibers woven therein, features the incorporation of an electroconductive material at overlapped or butt-joined seams between the pieces of cloth forming the clothing to ensure a perfect electrostatic connection of all the pieces of the clothing to minimize static charging on both the clothing and the wearer's body while preventing dust from gathering on the clothing to avoid dust from becoming a cause of problems such as electrostatic breakdown of circuit elements in a semiconductor integrated circuit production plant.

Abstract: A dry diving suit has a protective piece which extends completely around each leg, the underlying material of the leg and the protective piece being united longitudinally only at the inseam. A two-layer leg is thus provided with but one longitudinal seam. Each leg is glued at its lower edge to a latex sock. The protective piece is seamed circumferentially to the leg above the glue line of the sock. The inseam extends vertically down only to the circumferential seam of the protective piece.

Abstract: An improved seam construction for diving suits and method of performing same which consists of a seam formed by cutting slits into the edges of two abutting pieces of elastomeric material, gluing and stitching the outer layers of the edge of each piece, inserting and gluing a filler strip of material into the interior of the cavity formed by the slit and gluing the inner layers of the material over said filler strip. Diving suits formed using such seam construction are stronger, more comfortable, more durable, more aesthetic and leakproof.

Abstract: A bra specifically constructed for athletic activities such as jogging has top cups which extend down farther than on conventional bras, putting the seam between the top cups and the under cups below the apex to avoid irritation. Side panels at the outer ends of each under cup extend only the height of the under cup, and each top cup extends farther back accordingly, above the adjacent side panel, to a seam at the rearward edge of the top cup and side panel. All raw edges of seams on the bra are either on the outside or, if inside, are concealed from contact with the skin. The material for the top cups and under cups may be soft and non-stretchable, such as cotton. Each aspect of the bra's construction is effective to reduce irritation to the wearer during athletic activities wherein the breasts have a tendency to bounce or sway with respect to the body.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a sleeping garment for a child in the form of a bag which is closed at the bottom and provided with releasably fastened shoulder straps at the top. When the shoulder straps are unbuttoned, the child may be easily inserted into the garment from the top without requiring that its body be strained or twisted to permit insertion into the garment.

Abstract: A wet suit for underwater use is constructed to yield more readily to movements of the wearer by providing one or more longitudinal slits, as for example in the arm and leg portions of the suit, and closing each of these slits with an overlying length of elastic fabric sewn to both slit edges and a sealing flap of waterproof material underlying the slit and sewn to one edge. A similarly sealed slit is provided in the trunk of the suit, and closed by a length of elastic fabric in which a zipper is sewn.

Abstract: In a protective garment for insulating a worker from a hazardous environment, a suit manufactured from weldable or bondable material having a double overlapping zipper construction and welded or bonded seams having a binding stitched to the outside of the seams whereby the needle holes from such stitching do not extend to the interior of the garment.

Abstract: A novel low bulk seam is disclosed for use in paper making machine fabrics, such as dryer felts. The seam is particularly adapted for use with multi-filament yarns which comprise multi-ply fabrics. A novel method for producing this seam is disclosed which comprises the insertion of a seaming coil, the removal of picks in adjacent fabric areas, the folding and sewing of such areas, the creation of a warp fringe, the weaving back of portions of that fringe into the fabric body, and the application of various fasteners including adhesive and sewing to create a unique, reliable seam providing substantially uniform thickness and air permeability across the full fabric width. A durable, reliable, non-marking seam is accordingly provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a seam joining together two edges of a piece of fabric coated on one face with a water-impervious high frequency weldable plastics material, so as to form a water-impervious seam. In the method, the two edges are located together with the said coated faces facing outwardly, a binding strip is located over the said coated faces, the face of the binding strip in contact with the coated faces itself being coated with a high frequency activated material, and a radiofrequency field is applied to the seam to weld together adjacent said coated faces of the binding strip and the fabric. Certain forms of polyurethane and poly(vinyl chloride) are given as examples of high frequency activated materials. A novel seam is also disclosed.