U.S. patent application number 11/674762 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for clothing with detachable symbols.
Invention is credited to Colin Egglesfield.
Application Number | 20080189830 11/674762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39684574 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080189830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Egglesfield; Colin |
August 14, 2008 |
CLOTHING WITH DETACHABLE SYMBOLS
Abstract
An article of clothing includes a clothing product, a display
portion attached to the clothing product, and a plurality of
display items. The display portion has a suppleness and softness
substantially the same as that of the clothing product. The display
portion includes at least some of a top layer of loop fabric, a
middle layer of foam, and a bottom layer of lining material. The
display portion may be laminated together, and may be attached to
the clothing by at least one of a stitch other than a single
stitch, and a heat fusible layer. The display portion is attached
onto the clothing product at a position for displaying at least one
of the plurality of display items. The display items are attached
to the display portion using hook-and-loop fastener system. Each of
the plurality of display items are die-cut from a hook
material.
Inventors: |
Egglesfield; Colin; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELLIOT FURMAN
15 WEST 81ST STREET #11J
NEW YORK
NY
10024
US
|
Family ID: |
39684574 |
Appl. No.: |
11/674762 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 ; 2/272;
206/281 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2300/32 20130101;
A41D 1/04 20130101; A41D 27/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/244 ; 2/272;
206/281 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08; A41D 27/02 20060101 A41D027/02; B65D 85/18 20060101
B65D085/18 |
Claims
1. An article of clothing with detachable and rearrangeable display
items comprising: a clothing product; a display portion attached
onto the clothing product, the display portion comprising, a top
layer of loop fabric; a middle layer of foam; a bottom layer of
lining material; and a plurality of display items; wherein the
display portion has a suppleness and softness substantially the
same as that of the clothing product, wherein the display portion
is attached onto the clothing product at a position for displaying
at least one of the plurality of display items, wherein the display
portion comprises an outer surface having a plurality of loops
facing away from the clothing product; wherein each of the
plurality of display items are die-cut from a hook material,
wherein each of the plurality of display items comprise a front
portion to be displayed and a back portion having a plurality of
hooks, wherein each of the plurality of display items are
detachable and rearrangeable by joining the plurality of hooks with
the plurality of loops.
2. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the display
portion is less than 1/8 of an inch thick.
3. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the display
portion is attached such that there are substantially no excess
edges and margins.
4. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the display
portion is attached using a stitch other than a single stitch.
5. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the display
portion is attached using one of a double stitch or a zig-zag
stitch.
6. The article of clothing according to claim 1 further comprising
a heat fusible layer between the clothing product and the display
portion, wherein the display portion is attached by melting the
heat fusible.
7. The article of clothing according to claim 6 wherein the heat
fusible layer comprises heat activated adhesive.
8. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the top
layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer are laminated
together.
9. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the top
layer of loop fabric comprises a nylon loop fabric, the middle
layer of foam comprises polyester foam, and the bottom layer of
lining material comprises a tricot knit fabric.
10. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the bottom
layer of lining material comprises a nylon tricot fabric.
11. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the layer
of loop fabric comprises 100% nylon loop fabric.
12. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the hook
material comprises hook-and-loop type material.
13. The article of clothing according to claim 1 further comprising
a bag to carry the plurality of display items.
14. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
clothing product is one of caps, jackets, shirts, t-shirts,
trousers, overalls, hat, sweatshirt, or pants.
15. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
plurality of display items form letters, numbers, symbols, words,
badges, slogans, text, indicia, insignia, characters, logos, or
cartoons.
16. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
display portion is attached to at least one of a chest portion and
a back portion of a t-shirt.
17. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the shape
of the display portion is at least one of rectangular, circular, or
elliptical, polygonal, curved, arcuate, curvilinear, rectilinear,
and arched.
18. The article of clothing according to claim 1 further comprising
decorations on the clothing product.
19. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
plurality of display items comprise decorations.
20. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
plurality of display items form a picture.
21. The article of clothing according to claim 20 wherein the
display portion along with the plurality of display items form a
playable puzzle.
22. An article of clothing with detachable and rearrangeable
display items comprising: a clothing product; one or more display
portions attached onto the clothing product, the one or more
display portions each comprising, a top layer of nylon loop fabric;
a middle layer of polyester foam; a bottom layer of tricot knit
fabric; and a plurality of display items; wherein each display
portion is less than 1/8 of an inch thick, wherein each display
portion has a suppleness and softness substantially the same as
that of the clothing product, wherein each display portion is
attached onto the clothing product at a position for displaying at
least one of the plurality of display items, wherein each display
portion comprises an outer surface having a plurality of loops
facing away from the clothing product, wherein each display portion
is attached such that there are substantially no excess edges and
margins, wherein the top layer, the middle layer, and the bottom
layer are laminated together; wherein each of the plurality of
display items is die-cut from a hook material, wherein each of the
plurality of display items comprise a front portion to be displayed
and a back portion having a plurality of hooks, wherein each of the
plurality of display items are detachable and rearrangeable by
joining the plurality of hooks with the plurality of loops.
23. The article of clothing according to claim 22 further
comprising a bag to carry the plurality of display items.
24. An article of clothing with detachable and rearrangeable
display items comprising: a clothing product; one or more display
portions attached onto the clothing product, the one or more
display portions each comprising, a top layer of nylon loop fabric;
a bottom layer of tricot knit fabric; and a plurality of display
items; wherein the each display portion is less than 1/8 of an inch
thick, wherein each display portion has a suppleness and softness
substantially the same as that of the clothing product, wherein
each display portion is attached onto the clothing product at a
position for displaying at least one of the plurality of display
items, wherein each display portion comprises an outer surface
having a plurality of loops facing away from the clothing product,
wherein each display portion is attached such that there are
substantially no excess edges and margins, wherein the top layer
and the bottom layer are laminated together; wherein each of the
plurality of display items is die-cut from a hook material, wherein
each of the plurality of display items comprise a front portion to
be displayed and a back portion having a plurality of hooks,
wherein each of the plurality of display items are detachable and
rearrangeable by joining the plurality of hooks with the plurality
of loops.
25. An article of clothing with detachable and rearrangeable
display items comprising: a clothing product; a display portion
attached onto the clothing product, the display portion comprising,
a layer of loop fabric; a heat fusible layer between the clothing
product and the display portion, the heat fusible layer attaching
the display portion onto the clothing product by melting the heat
fusible layer under at least one of heat and pressure; and a
plurality of display items; wherein the display portion has a
suppleness and softness substantially the same as that of the
clothing product, wherein the display portion is attached to the
clothing product at a position for displaying at least one of the
plurality of display items, wherein the display portion comprises
an outer surface having a plurality of loops facing away from the
clothing product, wherein the display portion is attached such that
there are substantially no excess edges and margins; wherein each
of the plurality of display items are die-cut from a hook material,
wherein each of the plurality of display items comprise a front
portion to be displayed and a back portion having a plurality of
hooks, wherein each of the plurality of display items are
detachable and rearrangeable by joining the plurality of hooks with
the plurality of loops.
26. The article of clothing according to claim 25 wherein the
display portion further comprises a layer of foam between the layer
of loop fabric and the clothing product.
27. The article of clothing according to claim 25 wherein the
display portion further comprises a layer of lining material
between the layer of loop fabric and the clothing product.
28. The article of clothing according to claim 25 further
comprising a bag to carry the plurality of display items.
29. The article of clothing according to claim 25 wherein the heat
fusible layer comprises heat activated adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Clothing such as t-shirts with messages printed on them are
very common. The printed messages may be ideological, social or
political statements, catchy phrases to draw attention,
motivational statements, proverbs, or any type of message or image.
Further, the printed messages may help persons to express their
feelings, their mood, their identity, or their membership to a
group. A printed message may become too often used, uninteresting,
or obsolete with time and the person may want clothing having a
message that suits a different or current situation.
[0002] In the prior art, the use of detachable and rearrangeable
insignia that include alphabets, pictures, symbols, and the like
enables the person to create and display a desired message on the
clothing, and vary the message with time. In the prior art, the
insignia contains a hook portion on its back portion and a printed
area on its front portion. The clothing includes a loop portion.
The insignia are attached to the clothing using a hook-and-loop
fastener system.
[0003] However, prior art clothing with detachable insignia suffer
from many limitations. For example, the loop portion is less soft
and less flexible as compared to fabric of the clothing. Also, the
loop portion does not blend easily with the fabric of the clothing,
thereby making the clothing less comfortable to wear and less
appealing to sight. Additionally, the loop portion is sewn onto the
fabric of the clothing with simple stitching causing the loop
portion to display stiff and pointed edges that are both
uncomfortable and unsightly. And, the loop portion becomes
susceptible to breaking due to the repeated application and removal
of the insignia. Further, the ink of the printed area on the front
portion of the insignia can rub off or fade over time with repeated
use.
[0004] Thus, there is need for an improved article of clothing with
detachable symbols.
SUMMARY
[0005] An article of clothing includes a clothing product, a
display portion, and a plurality of display items. The article of
clothing may also include a bag to carry the plurality of display
items. The display portion is attached onto the clothing product.
The display portion may be attached using a stitch other than a
single stitch. The display portion may also be attached by melting
a heat fusible layer between the clothing product and the display
portion. Display items are removably attached to the display
portion using a hook-and-loop fastener. The hook-and-loop fastener
includes a plurality of loops on the outer surface of the display
portion facing away from the clothing product, and a plurality of
hooks on a display item. The display portion includes a top layer
of loop fabric, a middle layer of foam, and a bottom layer of
lining material. The top layer 202 may include a nylon loop fabric,
the middle layer may include a polyester foam, and the bottom layer
may include a tricot knit fabric. The three layers may be laminated
together. The display portion has a suppleness and softness
substantially the same as that of the clothing product. Each
display item is die-cut from a hook material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates a clothing product, a display portion,
and display items of an article of clothing.
[0007] FIG. 1B illustrates a bag to carry the display items.
[0008] FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of an exemplary display
item.
[0009] FIG. 1D illustrates a back view of the exemplary display
item.
[0010] FIG. 1E illustrates an exemplary arrangement of display
items.
[0011] FIG. 1F illustrates an exemplary rearrangement of the
display items.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the display
portion of the article of clothing.
[0013] FIG. 3A illustrates double stitching to attach the display
portion onto the clothing product.
[0014] FIG. 3B illustrates zig-zag stitching to attach the display
portion onto the clothing product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIGS. 1A-1F show an article of clothing 100. The article of
clothing 100 includes a clothing product 102, a display portion
104, and a plurality of display items 106. The article of clothing
100 may also include a bag 108 to carry the plurality of display
items 106. The display portion 104 is attached onto the clothing
product 102 and display items 106 are removably attached to the
display portion 104 using a hook-and-loop fastener. A display item
includes a front portion 112 (FIG. 1C) and a back portion 114 (FIG.
1D). The hook-and-loop fastener includes a plurality of loops 110
on the outer surface of the display portion 104 facing away from
the clothing product 102, and plurality of hooks 116 on the back
portion 114. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the display
portion 104. The display portion 104 includes a top layer of loop
fabric 202, a middle layer of foam 204, and a bottom layer of
lining material 206. FIGS. 3A and 3B show double stitching 302 and
zig-zag stitching 304 respectively to attach the display portion
104 onto the clothing product 102. The display portion 104 may also
be attached using a heat fusible layer.
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate various components of an
exemplary article of clothing 100. The article of clothing 100
includes the clothing product 102, the display portion 104, and the
plurality of display items 106. The article of clothing 100 may
include the bag 108. The bag 108 is used to carry the plurality of
display items 106.
[0017] The clothing product 102 may be one of, but not limited to,
caps, jackets, shirts, t-shirts, trousers, overalls, hats, long
sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and pants. The clothing
product 102 may be made of a material that includes at least one of
cotton, nylon, polyester, and other fabrics and blends of fabrics.
The clothing product 102 may also include decorations such as
straps, printed image, and the like.
[0018] The display portion 104 includes a plurality of loops 110.
The shape of the display portion 104 is at least one of, but not
limited to, rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, curved,
arcuate, curvilinear, rectilinear, and arched. For example, the
display portion 104 may be large and round to allow more space for
placement of more display items 106 with a greater variety of
messages.
[0019] The display portion 104 is attached onto the clothing
product 102 using a stitch other than single stitch. Alternatively,
or in combination, the display portion 104 may be attached by heat
transfer, for example, by melting a heat fusible layer between the
clothing product 102 and the display portion 104. The heat fusible
layer is melted under heat or pressure, or a combination of heat
and pressure. Fusing layers of fabric is well understood by those
having ordinary skill in the art. The heat fusible layer may be a
heat activated adhesive. The heat fusible may be a fabric or mesh
that melts under heat or pressure, or a combination of heat and
pressure. Heat activated adhesives, fabrics, and meshes are well
understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
[0020] The display portion 104 is attached such that there are
substantially no excess edges and margins. The absence of excess
edges and margins results in improving the aesthetic appearance of
the combination of the clothing product 102 and the display portion
104, as well as greatly reducing or eliminating the chance that the
display portion can catch or snag on other clothing items, or be
pulled loose during use or washing. The display portion 104 is
attached onto the clothing product 102 at a position for displaying
at least one of the plurality of display items 106. For example,
the display portion 104 may be attached at the chest portion of a
t-shirt, and/or the back portion of a t-shirt.
[0021] Each display item, for example, a display item 106a, is
die-cut from a hook material. The hook material may include
hook-and-loop type material such as a material sold under the
trademark VELCRO. The display item 106a may be one of a letter or
an alphabet such as A, B, C, a number such as 1, 2, 3, a symbol, a
picture, a picture of a cartoon character, a word, a badge, a
slogan, a text, an indicium, an insignia, a character, a logo, and
combinations thereof.
[0022] FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate a front view and back view of an
exemplary display item 106a. The display item 106a includes a front
portion 112 and a back portion 114. The back portion 114 includes a
plurality of hooks 116. The display item 106a is removably attached
to the display portion 104 by pressing the plurality of hooks 116
onto the plurality of loops 110. The front portion 112 is visible
on the display portion 104 while the back portion 114 is attached
to the display portion 104. The hook-and-loop fastening enables
firm but easily removable fastening between the plurality of hooks
116 and the plurality of loops 110. The color of the display item
106a is chosen based on the color of the display portion 104 and
the available colors of the hook material. The color of the hook
material may be selected based on the color of the display portion
104 to obtain desired brightness and contrast for better display.
For example, the display portion 104 may be black in color and the
color of the hook material selected may be a light color such as
white. The display item 106a is die-cut to provide it with an
aesthetic look by providing the display item 106a with sharp edges
and smooth sides, and also to ensure the edges of the display item
withstand repeated and prolonged use. The display items 106 may be
provided with a decorative pattern by printing. The display items
106 may have decorative layers sewn or glued onto them. The display
items 106 may be provided with a fluorescent paint or dye that
glows in dark.
[0023] The display item 106a along with other display items may be
detached and rearranged to form a desired message. For example, the
display items 106 such as `A`, `B`, `1`, `2`, `C`, `3`, and `!` are
arranged on the display portion 104 of a t-shirt 102 as shown in
FIG. 1A. The t-shirt 102 has the display portion 104 attached at a
chest portion. A user can select the display items 106 and
customize the t-shirt 102 as desired. The arrangement of the
display items 106 can be changed to create different messages,
phrases, etc. For exemplary purposes, FIGS. 1E and 1F depict one
such rearrangement of the display items 106 on the display portion
104. FIG. 1E shows the formation of word `LOOP`, while FIG. 1F
depicts the rearrangement of the same display items 106 to form a
new word `POOL`. Further, the orientation of this rearrangement of
the display items 106 can also be changed on the surface of the
display portion 104. As shown in FIG. 1E, `LOOP` is displayed in a
horizontal direction, while in FIG. 1F `POOL` is displayed in a
vertical direction. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the
art, that similar rearrangement could be done with numerals,
symbols, characters, and any combination thereof. Further, the
rearrangement can be used to create different messages, phrases,
etc.
[0024] During attachment and rearrangement of display items 106,
the display portion 104 is comfortable to a user while connecting
with the plurality of hooks 116 due to the composition of the
display portion 104.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of the display portion
104. The display portion 104 includes three layers. The display
portion 104 includes a top layer of loop fabric 202, a middle layer
of foam 204, and a bottom layer of lining material 206. The top
layer 202 may include a nylon loop fabric, the middle layer may
include a polyester foam, and the bottom layer may include a tricot
knit fabric. Further, the top layer of loop fabric 202 may include
100% nylon loop fabric, and the bottom layer of lining material 206
may include a nylon tricot fabric. The three layers 202, 204, and
206 may be laminated together. Alternatively, the three layers 202,
204, and 206 may be weaved together. An example of the display
portion 104 is a cloth sold under the trademark VELCLOTH.
[0026] The top layer of loop fabric 202 includes the plurality of
loops 110 facing away from the clothing product 102. The bottom
layer of lining material 206 is soft and silk-like. The display
portion 104 is soft, flexible, and comfortable to a user while
connecting with the plurality of hooks 116 present on the display
item 106a. The display portion 104 has a suppleness and softness
substantially the same as that of the clothing product 102. The
display portion 104 may be less than 1/8 of an inch thick. Another
type of display portion 104 may include only the top layer of loop
fabric 202 and the bottom layer of lining material 206, and still
have a suppleness and softness substantially the same as that of
the clothing product 102. Yet another type of display portion 104
may include only the top layer of loop fabric 202 attached to the
clothing product 102 using the heat fusible layer.
[0027] Since the display portion 104 has a suppleness and softness
substantially the same as that of the clothing product 102, the
display portion 104 may be attached at any part of the clothing
product 102. Further, the clothing product 102 may include more
than one display portions. For example, a t-shirt with two display
portions, one at the back of the t-shirt and one at the front of
the t-shirt to display two different messages. The display portion
104 may be used on other portions of the clothing product 102. For
example, the display portion 104 may be any shape and may be
attached to the sleeves or back of a t-shirt. The clothing product
102 may be available in a variety of colors. The color of the
display portion 104 may be selected to improve the overall
appearance of the clothing product 102 and the display portion 104.
A user may wear the clothing product without the display items 106.
A decorative stitching and piping may be used at the positions
where the display portion 104 is attached onto the clothing product
102. In addition, the color of the decorative stitching may be
different from the color of the display portion 104.
[0028] A type of stitching other than single stitching may be used
to attach the display portion 104 onto the clothing product 102.
For example, the type of stitching may be one of double stitching
or zig-zag stitching. FIG. 3A illustrates double stitching 302 to
attach the display portion 104 onto the clothing product 102. FIG.
3B illustrates zig-zag stitching 304 to attach the display portion
104 onto the clothing product 102. Double stitching 302 or the
zig-zag stitching 304 results in substantially no excess edges and
margins of the display portion 104.
[0029] A display item may be used to display a logo of a company. A
display item may also be used to display at least one of a person's
name, the name of a company, group, school, college, and the like.
Further, the plurality of display items 106 may form a picture. The
picture may be at least one of a movie actor, a historic monument,
a cartoon character, and the like.
[0030] The display portion 104 along with the plurality of display
items 106 may form a playable puzzle or, equivalently, a game. The
puzzle may include a combination of different display portions
having different shapes and/or colors. The display portion 104 may
comprise a plurality of sections, and each section may comprise a
different shape and/or color. The display portion 104 may also
comprise colored stitching, dyes, paints, and printing to further
define the puzzle.
[0031] In one use, a celebrity may use the article of clothing 100
that includes a t-shirt, the display portion 104, and the plurality
of display items 106 to attract and interact with a crowd by
displaying different messages. The article of clothing 100 may be
used to display promotional materials or to advertise products.
[0032] The foregoing detailed description has set forth a few of
the many forms that this invention can take. It is intended that
the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration
of selected forms that the invention can take and not as a
limitation to the definition of the invention. It is only the
following claims, including all equivalents that are intended to
define the scope of this invention.
* * * * *