U.S. patent application number 10/114044 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-09 for method for displaying shrunk article of clothing.
Invention is credited to Kondo, Norichika.
Application Number | 20030188372 10/114044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28673677 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030188372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kondo, Norichika |
October 9, 2003 |
Method for displaying shrunk article of clothing
Abstract
A method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing includes
the steps of providing a shrunk article of clothing entirely
reduced in size obtained by subjecting an article of clothing
having a single large size to a tying process and/or a shrinking
process, the shrunk article of clothing having an entirely reduced
size fixed with a tying string for performing the tying/shrinking
process, and displaying the shrunk article of clothing with the
tying string in a state that the shrunk article of clothing with
the tying string is held in a predetermined shape without
subjecting the shrunk article of clothing to a finishing process of
removing the tying string from the shrunk article of clothing.
Thus, a user can selectively subject the shrunk article of clothing
to the finishing process to obtain a shrunk article of clothing
with elasticity due to the tying process and/or the shrinking
process as a final product capable of fitting a wearer of any
size.
Inventors: |
Kondo, Norichika;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN & HATTORI, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW
SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
28673677 |
Appl. No.: |
10/114044 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20130101; A47F
7/19 20130101; A47F 8/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/115 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a shrunk article of clothing
entirely reduced in size obtained by subjecting an article of
clothing having a single large size to a tying process and/or a
shrinking process, said shrunk article of clothing having an
entirely reduced size fixed with a tying string for performing said
tying/shrinking process; and displaying said shrunk article of
clothing with said tying string in a state that said shrunk article
of clothing with said tying string is held in a predetermined shape
without subjecting said shrunk article of clothing to a finishing
process of removing said tying string from said shrunk article of
clothing, whereby a user can selectively subject said shrunk
article of clothing to said finishing process to obtain a shrunk
article of clothing with elasticity due to said tying process
and/or said shrinking process as a final product capable of fitting
a wearer of any size.
2. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing as
recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying is performed in a state
that said shrunk article of clothing having an entirely reduced
size fixed with said tying string is held in a predetermined
three-dimensional shape by interposing a shape-holding member in
said shrunk article of clothing with said tying string.
3. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing as
recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying is performed in a state
that said shrunk article of clothing having an entirely reduced
size fixed with said tying string is held in a predetermined
three-dimensional shape by interposing a doll having a size
corresponding to said entirely reduced size of said shrunk article
of clothing in said shrunk article of clothing.
4. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing as
recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying is performed in a state
that said shrunk article of clothing with said tying string is held
in a predetermined three-dimensional shape by interposing a bottle
having a size corresponding to said entirely reduced size of said
shrunk article of clothing in said shrunk article of clothing.
5. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing as
recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying is performed in a state
that said shrunk article of clothing with said tying string is held
in a predetermined shape by interposing a hanger having a size
corresponding to said entirely reduced size of said shrunk article
of clothing 4n said shrunk article of clothing.
6. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing as
recited in claim 1, wherein said tying process is performed such
that said tying string is hard to be recognized.
7. The method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing of claim
1, wherein said tying process is performed by using a chemically
treated fragile cotton string.
8. A shrunk article of clothing displayed by the method of claim
1.
9. A method of selling a shrunk article of clothing by displaying
said shrunk article of clothing by the method of claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for displaying a
shrunk article of clothing, a shrunk article of clothing to be
displayed by the method and a method of selling the shrunk article
of clothing.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,336 and Japanese Patent No.
3,150,946, the present inventor has proposed a shrunk article of
clothing having an entirely reduced size manufactured by subjecting
an article of clothing having a single large size to a tying
process and a heat shrinking process, so that an entire portion of
the single large size article of clothing fits a wearer of any
size.
[0005] This kind of shrunk article of clothing is put on sale as a
finished product in a state that a purchaser can try it on. At the
time of selling this kind of shrunk article of clothing, it will be
displayed by the same method as normal clothing. For example, the
shrunk article of clothing is displayed in a state that it is put
on a mannequin. According to this conventional display method,
since a purchaser can correctly recognize the shape and the size of
the shrunk article of clothing, a purchaser can assuredly select
their desired one. Thus, there is little possibility of trouble
occurring because purchased clothing differs from the purchaser's
desired one.
[0006] After the purchasing of the clothing, however, there is no
room for the user/purchaser to enjoy unexpected nature of the
article of clothing because the user/purchaser clearly recognizes
the nature of the shrunk article of clothing such as the color, the
patterns, the shape and the size at the time of purchasing it and
that the displayed shrunk article of clothing is a finished
product.
[0007] Thus, a conventional method of displaying a shrunk article
of clothing fails to provide unexpected nature after the purchase
of the clothing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for displaying a shrunk article of clothing capable of providing
unexpected nature after the purchase thereof.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing capable of
concealing the nature of the shrunk article of clothing at the time
of the displaying.
[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a method for displaying a shrunk article of clothing
capable of giving a purchaser a chance of participating the
finishing process of the shrunk article of clothing after the
purchase.
[0011] According to the present invention, a method for displaying
a shrunk article of clothing, includes the steps of:
[0012] providing a shrunk article of clothing entirely reduced in
size obtained by subjecting an article of clothing having a single
large size to a tying process and/or a shrinking process, the
shrunk article of clothing having an entirely reduced size fixed
with a tying string for performing the tying/shrinking process;
and
[0013] displaying the shrunk article of clothing with the tying
string in a state that the shrunk article of clothing with the
tying string is held in a predetermined shape without subjecting
the shrunk article of clothing to a finishing process of removing
the tying string from the shrunk article of clothing, whereby a
purchaser can selectively subject the shrunk article of clothing to
the finishing process to obtain a shrunk article of clothing with
elasticity due to the tying process and/or the shrinking process as
a final product capable of fitting a wearer of any size.
[0014] According to the present invention, the shrunk article of
clothing is displayed in an extremely reduced state. A purchaser of
this shrunk article of clothing can recognize the nature of the
clothing itself only after the purchase, increasing unexpected
nature of the clothing after the purchase, which in turn excites
consumers' interest due to the unexpected nature. Furthermore, the
purchased shrunk article of clothing may be appropriate for a
surprise gift because of the unexpected nature thereof. In
addition, since the shrunk article of clothing is displayed in a
state that a tying string for performing the tying/shrinking
process remains therein, the user/purchaser of the shrunk article
of clothing can be engaged in the finishing process thereof by
removing (untying, pulling out, taking off, destroying, etc.) the
tying string, resulting in unique and interesting goods.
[0015] The displaying may be performed in a state that the shrunk
article of clothing having an entirely reduced size fixed with the
tying string is held in a predetermined three-dimensional shape by
interposing a shape-holding member in the shrunk article of
clothing with the tying string.
[0016] The displaying may be performed in a state that the shrunk
article of clothing having an entirely reduced size fixed with the
tying string is held in a predetermined three-dimensional shape by
interposing a doll having a size corresponding to the entirely
reduced size of the shrunk article of clothing in the shrunk
article of clothing.
[0017] The displaying may be performed in a state that the shrunk
article of clothing with the tying string is held in a
predetermined three-dimensional shape by interposing a bottle
having a size corresponding to the entirely reduced size of the
shrunk article of clothing in the shrunk article of clothing.
[0018] The displaying is performed in a state that the shrunk
article of clothing with the tying string is held in a
predetermined shape by interposing a hanger having a size
corresponding to the entirely reduced size of the shrunk article of
clothing in the shrunk article of clothing.
[0019] It is preferable that the tying process is performed such
that the tying string is hard to be recognized.
[0020] The tying string may be a chemically treated
fragile/easy-to-break cotton string.
[0021] Other objects and the features will be apparent from the
following detailed description of the present invention with
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will be more fully described and
better understood from the following description, taken with the
appended drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an original article of
clothing for blouses to which a tying process has not been
performed according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a shrunk article of clothing
with a tying string to which a tying process was performed;
[0025] FIG. 3A is an explanatory view showing the so-called Miura
tying method;
[0026] FIG. 3B is an explanatory view showing the so-called spider
tying method;
[0027] FIG. 3C is an explanatory view showing the so-called Kanoko
tying method;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a shrunk article of clothing
with a tying string to which a heat shrinking (treating) process
was given to the shrunk article of clothing with a tying string
shown in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows the state where the shrunk article of clothing
shown in FIG. 4 is put on a doll;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows the state where the shrunk article of clothing
shown in FIG. 4 is put on a hanger;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the state where the shrunk article of clothing
shown in FIG. 4 is put on a bottle;
[0032] FIG. 8 shows the state where the shrunk article of clothing
shown in FIG. 4 is folded a snake-like rolled shape;
[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B show the processes for pulling the tying
string out of the shrunk article of clothing shown in FIG. 4;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the shrunk article of
clothing from which the tying string was pulled out;
[0035] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view for explaining the
breaking/removing of the fragile tying string;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 1, and shows
an original article of clothing for tank tops;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2, and shows a
shrunk article of clothing obtained by subjecting a tying process
to the article of clothing shown in FIG. 12;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 4, and shows
the shrunk article of clothing obtained by subjecting a heat
shrinking (treating) process to the shrunk article of clothing
shown in FIG. 13;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 6, and shows
the state where the shrunk article of clothing shown in FIG. 14 is
put on a hanger;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 7, and shows
the state where the shrunk article of clothing shown in FIG. 14 is
put on a small bottle; and
[0041] FIG. 17 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 10, and shows
the shrunk article of clothing in the state where the tying string
was pulled out of the shrunk article of clothing with a tying
string shown in FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] A preferable embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows an original article of clothing 1 as a blouse
to which a tying process and a shrinking process have not been
performed. FIG. 1 shows the size of the original article of
clothing 1 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shoulder
width is 55 cm, the breast width and the waist width are 70 cm,
respectively, the length is 80 cm, and the whole shoulder width
with sleeve developed is 110 cm.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, a tying process or a shrinking process
is subjected to the whole article of clothing 1 to obtain a shrunk
article of clothing 2 with a tying string B having an entirely
reduced size.
[0045] The aforementioned tying process may be preferably performed
by the so-called Miura tying method, the falled spider tying method
or the so-called Kanako tying method. According to the
aforementioned Miura-tying method, as shown in FIG. 3A, after
putting a tying string B around the basal portion of the tying
portion, the tying string B is put around the adjacent tying
portion in the same manner as mentioned above. According to the
aforementioned spider tying method, as shown in FIG. 3B, after
putting the tying string B around the basal portion of the tying
portion twice, the tying string B winds upward spirally toward the
top. Thereafter, the tying string B winds downward toward the
bottom portion of the tying portion, and then the tying string B is
put around the adjacent tying portion in the same manner as
mentioned above. Furthermore, according to the aforementioned
Kanako tying method, as shown in FIG. 3C, after puting the tying
string B on the basal portion of the tying portion twice, and then
the tying string B is put around the adjacent tying portion in the
same manner as mentioned above. In the present invention, however,
the tying process is not limited to the above, and may be performed
by any other known method.
[0046] Since the stand-up dimension A (see FIG. 3A) formed by the
tying process is large, when the tying process is performed to the
entire area of the original article of clothing 1, a shrunk article
of clothing 3 having a large reduction rate can be obtained.
[0047] In order to facilitate a finishing process which will be
mentioned later, it is preferable that an end of the tying string B
used for the tying process extends outwardly from the shrunk
article of clothing 3.
[0048] Furthermore, in cases where the aforementioned tying process
is uniformly subjected to the entire article of clothing 1 at the
angle of about 45.degree., a shrunk article of clothing 3 with
elasticity in the whole direction of about 360.degree. can be
obtained, which further enhances the size reduction. The elasticity
or the like increases as the stand-up dimension A (see FIG. 3A) of
the tied portion increases.
[0049] Furthermore, in cases where a colored string is used as the
aforementioned tying string B, the shrunk article of clothing can
be displayed with excellent ornament.
[0050] The shrunk article of clothing 2 with the tying string B
manufactured as mentioned is subjected to a heat shrinking process
as a shrinking treatment to obtain a shrunk article of clothing 3
with the tying string B shown in FIG. 4. In cases where the article
of clothing is made of polyester, the heat process at the
temperature of 110-150.degree. C..times.about 10 to 20 minutes,
preferably 110-130.degree. C..times.10 to 20 minutes is performed.
Through this heat process, the shrunk article of clothing 3 with
the tying string B having an entirely reduced shape and size with
elasticity can be obtained. In other words, the shrunk
configuration is maintained. In this state, due to the heat
shrinking process, the shrunk article of clothing 3 has the
following size: the shoulder width is 17 cm, the breast width and
the waist width are 18 cm, respectively, the length is 18 cm, and
the whole shoulder width with sleeve developed is 21 cm.
[0051] In a case where the shrunk article of clothing 2 with the
tying string B is a self-colored clothing 1, the shrunk article of
clothing 2 will be subjected to both a dying process by a known
method such as an immersion method and the aforementioned shrinking
treatment.
[0052] The order or the time for subjecting to the dying process
and/or the heat treating (shrinking) process may be changed
arbitrarily.
[0053] In the present invention, the shrunk article of clothing 3
manufactured as mentioned above is displayed in the state that the
tying string B used for the tying process remains in the shrunk
article.
[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the shrunk article of
clothing 3 with a tying string B may be displayed in a state that
the shrunk article of clothing 3 is put on a doll 4 having a small
size corresponding to the size of the shrunk article of clothing 3.
The shrunk article of clothing 3 put on a doll 4 as mentioned above
may be preferably displayed in a shop window. Alternatively, the
shrunk article of clothing 3 put on a doll 4 may be displayed in a
state that the doll 4 wearing the shrunk article of clothing 3 is
accommodated in a box (not shown). As the aforementioned doll 4, a
doll-shaped sheet member or a stuffed doll may be used.
[0055] Thus, in cases where the shrunk article of clothing 3 having
a reduced size is displayed in the state that the shrunk article of
clothing 3 is put on a doll 4 having a size corresponding to the
size of the shrunk article of clothing 3, the shrunk article of
clothing 3 is recognized as a small clothing prepared for the doll
4. However, actually, this shrunk article of clothing 3 becomes a
display that can further emphasize the unexpected nature that the
shrunk article of clothing 3 can fit a wearer of any size from a
child to an adult.
[0056] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the shrunk
article of clothing 3 with the tying string B may be displayed in
the state that the shrunk article of clothing 3 is put on a hanger
4a having a size corresponding to the size of the shrunk article of
clothing 3. In this case, there are advantages such that it can be
displayed, conveyed, stored, etc., in a compact size.
[0057] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the shrunk
article of clothing 3 with the tying string B may be displayed in
the state that the shrunk article of clothing 3 is put on a bottle
4c having a size corresponding to the size of the shrunk article of
clothing 3. In this case, it may be useful, for example, to give
stereoscopic effects, increase ornament effects, attract the
customers' attention, offer topics or show unexpected nature.
[0058] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the shrunk
article of clothing 3 with the tying string B may be displayed in
the state that the shrunk article of clothing 3 is folded in a
snake-like rolled shape. Since these methods of displaying are
novel, the shrunk article of clothing 3 displayed as mentioned
above may also be used as an ornament. Accordingly, it is expected
to attract the customers' attention or show unexpected nature.
[0059] The shrunk article of clothing 3 with the string B displayed
as mentioned above is removed from the doll 3, the hanger 4a or the
bottle 4c, and then subjected to a finishing process.
[0060] This finishing process is performed by a purchaser of this
shrunk article of clothing 3. It is important that this finishing
process can be completed quickly and simply when taking account of
the purchaser's impatient feeling to complete the finishing
process. It is preferable that this finishing process can be
completed between about 30 seconds and about 2 minutes, more
preferably, between about 30 seconds and about 1 minute.
[0061] In this embodiment, the finishing process can be performed
by pulling the tying string B coming out of this shrunk article of
clothing 3. Since the finishing process can be completed quickly
and simply only by pulling the tying string B via the processes
shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the aforementioned conditions can be
fulfilled. After the completion of the finishing process, if
necessary, the shrunk article of clothing may be subjected to a
washing process in cold water and then to a drying process.
[0062] This shrunk article of clothing 3 to which the finishing
process was performed has the following size as shown in FIG. 10:
the shoulder width is 20 cm, the breast width and the waist width
are 21 cm, respectively, the length is 20 cm, and the whole
shoulder width with sleeve developed is 25 cm.
[0063] In the aforementioned embodiment, the finishing process was
performed by pulling the tying string B out of the shrunk article
of clothing 3.
[0064] Alternatively, for example, a chemically treated
breakable/fragile cotton yarn may be used as the tying string B, so
that the finishing process can be performed by forcibly expanding
the shrunk article of clothing 3 to thereby break the cotton yarn.
Such a breakable/fragile tying string B may be obtained by, for
example, subjecting a cotton string/yarn to a sulfuric acid
treatment. For example, a cotton string/yarn is immersed into a
solution having a specific gravity of about 1.84 and a mixture rate
of sulfuric acid and water being 1:3-4 in volume ratio for about 5
minutes, and then subjected to a neutralization process, a drying
process and the like. In the case of the shrunk article of clothing
with the breakable/fragile tying string, as shown in FIG. 11, the
tying string B can be easily broken by extending the article of
clothing 3. After breaking the tying string B into pieces, the
broken pieces of the tying string B may be removed by beating the
shrunk article of clothing 3. Thereafter, if required, the shrunk
article of clothing is subjected to a washing process in cold water
and a drying process.
[0065] Alternatively, as a chemically treated breakable/fragile
cotton yarn B, a water-soluble vinylon.TM. (vinal) capable of being
soluble in hot water of about 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. may be
employed. Since this water-soluble vinylon.TM. (vinal) has
characteristics that dissolves when immersed in hot water, for
example, a purchaser of the shrunk article of clothing can dissolve
(remove) the tying string B by simply immersing the shrunk article
of clothing in hot water of about 70.degree. C. Accordingly, the
tying string B can be removed simply and easily.
[0066] FIGS. 12 to 17 show the case where the present invention is
applied to an article of clothing such as a tank top. As shown in
FIG. 12, this original article of clothing 1 has the following
size: the shoulder width is 55 cm, the breast width and the waist
width are 65 cm, respectively, and the length is 60 cm. As shown in
FIG. 14, after the heat shrinking process, the size will be: the
shoulder width is 16 cm, the breast width and the waist width are
17 cm, respectively and the length is 17 cm. As shown in FIG. 17,
after the finishing process, the size will be: the shoulder width
is 19 cm, the breast width and the waist width are 21 cm,
respectively, and the length is 20 cm. Since the other structures
are the same as that of the aforementioned embodiment, the
explanation will be omitted by allotting the same reference numeral
to the corresponding portion.
[0067] According to the present invention, a method for displaying
a shrunk article of clothing includes the steps of providing a
shrunk article of clothing entirely reduced in size obtained by
subjecting an article of clothing having a single large size to a
tying process and/or a shrinking process, the shrunk article of
clothing having an entirely reduced size fixed with a tying string
for performing the tying/shrinking process, and displaying the
shrunk article of clothing with the tying string in a state that
the shrunk article of clothing with the tying string is held in a
predetermined shape without subjecting the shrunk article of
clothing to a finishing process of removing the tying string from
the shrunk article of clothing. Thus, after the purchase, a
user/purchaser can selectively subject the shrunk article of
clothing to the finishing process to obtain a shrunk article of
clothing with elasticity due to the tying process and/or the
shrinking process as a final product capable of fitting a wearer of
any size. Accordingly, since the shrunk article of clothing is
displayed in an extremely reduced state, the purchaser of this
shrunk article of clothing can recognize the nature of the clothing
itself only after the purchase, increasing unexpected nature of the
clothing after the purchase, which in turn excites consumers'
interest due to the unexpected nature. Thus, the purchased shrunk
article of clothing may be appropriately used as a surprise gift
because of the unexpected nature thereof. Furthermore, since the
shrunk article of clothing is displayed in a state that a tying
string used for a tying/shrinking process remains therein, the
user/purchaser of the shrunk article of clothing can be engaged in
the finishing process thereof by removing the tying string,
resulting in interesting goods.
[0068] The terms and descriptions in this specification are used
only for explanatory purposes and the present invention is not
limited to these terms and descriptions. It should be appreciated
that there are many modifications and substitutions without
departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention
which is defined by the appended claims. A present invention
permits any design-change, unless it deviates from the soul, if it
is within the limits by which the claim was performed.
* * * * *