U.S. patent application number 13/097332 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for garment having targeted shape control zones.
This patent application is currently assigned to Maidenform, Inc.. Invention is credited to Elizabeth Bergin (nee Madonna), Kristen Quaranta, Melissa Sandagata.
Application Number | 20120060253 13/097332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44861924 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120060253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bergin (nee Madonna); Elizabeth ;
et al. |
March 15, 2012 |
GARMENT HAVING TARGETED SHAPE CONTROL ZONES
Abstract
A garment comprised of a first shape control panel, which is
comprised of a first material, with a first degree of stretch and a
second shape control panel, which is coupled to the first shape
control panel. The second shape control panel is comprised of a
second material, with a second degree of stretch. The second degree
of stretch is different than the first degree of stretch.
Inventors: |
Bergin (nee Madonna);
Elizabeth; (Havertown, PA) ; Sandagata; Melissa;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Quaranta; Kristen; (Chappaqua,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Maidenform, Inc.
Iselin
NJ
|
Family ID: |
44861924 |
Appl. No.: |
13/097332 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61330040 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 1/003 20130101;
A41C 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A garment comprising: a first shape control panel comprised of a
first material with a first degree of stretch; and a second shape
control panel coupled to the first shape control panel, the second
shape control panel comprised of a second material with a second
degree of stretch, wherein the second degree of stretch is
different than the first degree of stretch.
2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is
configured as a tank top.
3. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising: a third
shape control panel coupled to the second shape control panel, the
third shape control panel comprised of a third material with a
third degree of stretch wherein the third degree of stretch is the
same as the first degree of stretch; a fourth shape control panel
coupled to the third shape control panel and the first shape
control panel, the fourth shape control panel comprised of a fourth
material with a fourth degree of stretch, wherein the fourth degree
of stretch is different than the first degree of stretch.
4. The garment according to claim 3, wherein the first shape
control panel is positioned within the garment so as to constrict
and smooth the user's left oblique abdominals, the second shape
control panel is positioned within the garment so as to constrict
and smooth the user's central stomach area, the third shape control
panel is positioned within the garment so as to constrict and
smooth the user's right oblique abdominals, and the fourth shape
control panel is positioned within the garment so as to constrict
and smooth the user's back.
5. The garment according to claim 4, further comprising a fifth
shape control panel coupled to the second shape control panel, and
the third shape control panel, the fifth shape control panel
comprised of a fifth material with a fifth degree of stretch,
wherein the fifth degree of stretch is different than the first
degree of stretch, wherein the fifth shape control panel is
positioned within the garment so as to constrict and smooth the
user's bust.
6. The garment according to claim 4, wherein the second degree of
stretch and the fourth degree of stretch are greater than the first
degree of stretch and the third degree of stretch.
7. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the first material and
the third material are a stretch mesh fabric having a weight of 75
g/m2, and a 180% length/85% width elongation under a 10 lb load and
the second material, the fourth material and the fifth material are
a material having a weight 125-180 g/m.sup.2, and a 75-270%
length/100-150% width elongation under a 10 lb load.
8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is
configured as a pair of panties.
9. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising: a third
shape control panel coupled to the second shape control panel, the
third shape control panel comprised of a third material with a
third degree of stretch wherein the third degree of stretch is
different than the first degree of stretch; a fourth shape control
panel coupled to the third shape control panel, the fourth shape
control panel comprised of a fourth material with a fourth degree
of stretch, wherein the fourth degree of stretch is different than
the second degree of stretch; and a fifth shape control panel
comprised of a fifth material with a fifth degree of stretch,
wherein the fifth degree of stretch is different than the first
degree of stretch, the fifth control panel being coupled to the
fourth shape control panel; and a sixth shape control panel coupled
to the fifth shape control panel and the first control panel, the
sixth shape control panel comprised of a sixth material with a
sixth degree of stretch, wherein the sixth degree of stretch is
different than the first degree of stretch.
10. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the first shape
control panel is positioned within the garment so as to constrict
and smooth the user's left upper thigh and lower buttocks, the
second shape control panel is positioned within the garment so as
to constrict and smooth the user's right lower abdominals, the
third shape control panel is positioned within the garment so as to
constrict and smooth the user's right left lower abdominals, the
fourth shape control panel is positioned within the garment so as
to constrict and smooth the user's right upper thigh and lower
buttocks; the fifth shape control panel is configured to shape and
smooth the user's central buttocks area on the left side; and the
sixth shape control panel is positioned within the garment so as to
constrict and smooth the user's central buttocks area on the right
side.
11. The garment according to claim 8, wherein the second degree of
stretch, the third degree of stretch, the fifth degree of stretch
and the sixth degree of stretch are greater than the first degree
of stretch and the fourth degree of stretch.
12. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the first material
and the fourth material are a stretch mesh fabric having a weight
of 75 g/m2, and a 180% length/85% width elongation under a 10 lb
load and the second material, the third material, the fifth
material, and the sixth material are a material having a weight
125-180 g/m.sup.2, and a 75-270% length/100-150% width elongation
under a 10 lb load.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to provisional
application No. 61/330,040, filed Apr. 30, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to garments that include
targeted shape control zones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many women have parts of their bodies that they are unhappy
with, making them have an insecure feeling when wearing certain
clothing. Foundation garments have been worn for a very long time
to address this problem. Better known today as shapewear, these
foundation garments include body briefs, bodysuits, brassieres,
control top panty hose, control panties, control briefs, control
slips, control camisoles, control tanks, hip slips, waist shapers,
corsets, garter belts, and girdles.
[0004] Shapewear are undergarments designed to change the wearer's
shape, producing a more fashionable, slim figure and to enhance the
natural curves of the body. Take for example control briefs. They
are designed to lift a wearer's bottom, flatten the tummy and add
shape and form to the thighs.
[0005] Shapewear is typically categorized according to the level or
shape control offered --for instance, light, medium or firm.
Generally, shapewear can be categorized into four different support
levels: [0006] Light Control shapewear garments, which offer a
slight touch of control without binding. These are typically chosen
by women of all sizes who want to appear firmer, but not
necessarily smaller. [0007] Moderate Control shapewear garments may
have light control panels built in, offering control with a touch
of compression. These are typically chosen by women who want to
look more toned. [0008] Firm Control shapewear garments are the
most popular with a support level that gives the maximum amount of
compression and control. These are typically chosen by women
seeking to appear slimmer and more toned.
[0009] Extra Firm Control shapewear garments offer the highest
level of support. These garments will most likely have reinforced
panels and possibly boning.
[0010] Shapewear garments typically have a single control material
covering an entire section of the garment. For example, in a
typical shapewear tank, a single control panel material forms the
tummy, side and back areas of the garment. This results in a
shapewear garment that has the same control properties for all
sections of the garment. However, women do not necessarily need a
consistent amount of shaping across body parts. For example, a
woman may want a shapewear garment to firmly flatten her stomach
but give only light control to her thighs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a shapewear garment, i.e. a
tank top or panties, that is capable of delivering different shape
control properties to different regions of a wearer's body by
employing multiple shape control panels with varying degrees of
stretch. These shape control panels are each positioned in the
garment to be adjacent to specific body parts and to constrict and
shape those body parts.
[0012] One embodiment of the present invention is configured as
panties. In this embodiment, the multiple shape control panels
include a tummy/midriff panel, corresponding to the abdominals of
the wearer, two opposed lateral side panels, corresponding to the
oblique abdominals of the wearer, a back panel corresponding to the
back of the wearer, and a chest panel, corresponding to the chest
of the wearer.
[0013] The control panel material for each of the panels is
selected to provide a desired amount of stretch to the particular
location of that panel. In the tank top embodiment, the control
panel material used for the tummy/midriff panel and back panel
portion are selected to have a greater degree of stretch than the
side panels, thereby providing a greater degree of restriction in
the tummy/midriff and back areas for the wearer.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is configured as
panties. In this embodiment, the multiple shape control panels
include front control panels, which correspond to the right and
left lower abdominals of the wearer, side control panels, which
correspond to the upper thighs of the wearer and wrap around the
wearer's back side to correspond also to the lower buttocks of the
wearer, and rear control panels, which correspond to the right and
left central and upper buttocks of the wearer.
[0015] Like in the tank top embodiment, the material that comprises
each panel in the panties embodiment is selected to provide a
desired of constriction and shaping depending upon the body part
where it is positioned. The desired constriction and shaping for
each body part varies. The control panel material used for the
front and rear panel portions is selected to have a greater degree
of stretch than the side panel portions, which thereby provides a
greater degree of restriction in the front and rear areas for the
wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not
necessarily drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, may best
be understood by reference to the detailed description which
follows when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outer front side of a garment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outer back surface of a garment
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an outer front surface of a garment
according to a second aspect of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an inner front surface of a garment
according to the second aspect of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an outer back surface of a garment
according to the second aspect of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inner back surface of a garment
according to the second aspect of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention will next be illustrated with
reference to the figures. Such figures are intended to be
illustrative rather than limiting and are included herewith to
facilitate the explanation of exemplary features of embodiments of
the present invention. Unless otherwise noted, the figures are not
to scale, and are not intended to serve as engineering
drawings.
[0024] Shapewear undergarments have become a very popular fashion
item. However, since currently available shapewear garments utilize
a single control material that covers an entire section of the
garment, i.e., a single control panel material forms the tummy,
side and back areas of the garment, the shapewear garment is only
capable of delivering the same control properties for all sections
of the garment and thus to all parts of the wearer. This is not
always an ideal situation because many times the wearer has
different control needs corresponding to different body
parts/locations. Because of this, there is a need to provide a
garment that has the ability to provide different control
properties to different body parts/locations.
[0025] The present invention addresses such a need. Specifically,
the present invention provides garments, i.e., a tank top and
panties, that have targeted shape control zones that, when worn,
provide differing amounts of shape control to different body
parts/locations.
[0026] As shown for example in FIGS. 1-2, the present invention
achieves this unique targeted shape control by providing a garment
1 having multiple shape control panels. These multiple shape
control panels include a tummy/midriff panel portion 3
corresponding to the abdominals of the wearer, two opposed lateral
side panel portions 4, 5 corresponding to the oblique abdominals of
the wearer, and a back panel portion 6 corresponding to the back of
the wearer. The garment also includes a chest panel portion 2 for
covering the chest of the wearer. Preferably, the chest panel
portion is constructed of a single layer of fabric, but however may
also be constructed as a shape control panel similar to the other
panels 3, 4, 5 and 6.
[0027] Each of these panel portions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are preferably
constructed of multiple fabric layers. These multiple fabric layers
typically include an outer fabric layer and a control panel
material attached to the inner, body facing surface of the outer
fabric layer. An inner fabric layer is also preferably provided.
Although the figures show a specific shape and configuration of the
panel portions, one of skill in the art will readily recognize from
the instant disclosure that the specific shape and positioning of
these panel portions can be altered to provide control and/or
compression to any desired area of the wearer's body. Preferably,
the outer fabric layer (and inner fabric layer) is selected from
any fabric, such as lace, circular knit, warp knit, woven, cotton,
nylon, polyester, elastane, or any combination thereof.
[0028] The control panel material for each of the panels 3, 4, 5,
and 6 is selected to provide a desired amount of stretch to the
particular location of that panel. For example, as shown in the
garment 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e., a tank top, the control panel
material used for the tummy/midriff panel portion 3 and back panel
portion 6 is selected to have a greater degree of stretch than the
side panel portions 4 and 5, thereby providing a greater degree of
restriction in the tummy/midriff and back areas for the wearer. The
control panel material used for the side panel portions 4 and 5 is
preferably selected to offer a degree of control and/or compression
less than that of the tummy/midriff panel portion 3 and back panel
portion 6.
[0029] The control panel material can be attached to the inner body
facing surface of the outer fabric layer by sewing, adhesive
bonding, ultra sonic bonding, or any other means known in the art
to attach fabric materials together. The control panel material is
preferably a power mesh/net material, such as spandex or
nylon/Lycra.RTM. blend, a stretch tricot material, a cotton/spandex
knit material, a poly/spandex knit material, or any other material
that can provide the desired control and/or compression.
[0030] For example, it is preferred that control panel material
used in the side panel portions 4, 5 is stretch mesh fabric having
a weight of 75 g/m.sup.2, and a 180% length/85% width elongation
under a 10 lb load. This material is preferred because it is a
lightweight mesh that provides light support and control.
[0031] The control panel material used in the other panel portions
2, 3 and 6 is preferably a stretch tricot material, a
cotton/spandex knit material or a poly/spandex knit material having
a weight 125-180 g/m.sup.2, and a 75-270% length/100-150% width
elongation under a 10 lb load. These materials are preferred
because they have everyday wearability characteristics, comfortable
stretch properties, and a modulus of elasticity that assists in the
overall smoothing appearance of the wearer's body.
[0032] FIGS. 3-6 show the garment of the present invention
configured as panties 10 having multiple shape control panels.
Specifically, FIG. 3 is a plan view of an outer front surface of
the panties 10; FIG. 4 is a plan view of an inner front surface of
the panties 10 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a plan view of an outer back
surface of the panties 10 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 6 is a plan view of
an inner back surface of the panties 10 of FIG. 5.
[0033] In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the panties 10 have
an outer fabric layer. An inner fabric layer may also be provided.
Preferably, the outer fabric layer (and inner fabric layer) is
selected from any fabric, such as lace, circular knit, warp knit,
woven, cotton, nylon, polyester, elastane, or any combination
thereof.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the multiple shape control panels
are located on an inner body-facing surface of the outer fabric
layer and include front control panels 12, 13, side control panels
14, 15, and rear control panels 16, 17. The front control panels
12, 13 correspond to the right and left lower abdominals of the
wearer. The side control panels 14, 15 are two opposed lateral side
panel portions that correspond to the upper thighs of the wearer
and wrap around the wearer's back side to correspond also to the
lower buttocks of the wearer. The two rear control panels 16, 17
correspond to the right and left central and upper buttocks of the
wearer.
[0035] The control panel material for each of the panels 12, 13,
14, 15, 16 and 17 is selected to provide a desired amount of
restriction and/or control. For example, as shown in the panties 10
of FIGS. 3-6, the control panel material used for the front and
rear panel portions 12, 13, 16, 17 is selected to have a greater
degree of stretch than the side panel portions 14, 15, which
thereby provides a greater degree of restriction in the front and
rear areas for the wearer. The control panel material used for the
side panel portions 14 and 15 is preferably selected to offer a
degree of control and/or compression less than that of the front
and rear panel portions 12, 13, 16, 17.
[0036] The control panel material is preferably attached to the
inner body facing surface of the outer fabric layer by sewing,
adhesive bonding, ultra sonic bonding, or any other means known in
the art to attach fabric materials together so as to reduce the
visibility of any panty lines. The control panel material is
preferably a power mesh/net material, such as spandex or
nylon/Lycra.RTM. blend, a stretch tricot material, a cotton/spandex
knit material, a poly/spandex knit material, or any other material
that can provide the desired control and/or compression.
[0037] For example, and similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, it
is preferred that control panel material used in the side panel
portions 14, 15 is stretch mesh fabric having a weight of 75
g/m.sup.2, and a 180% length/85% width elongation under a 10 lb
load. This material is preferred because it is a lightweight mesh
that provides shaping and lift for the wearer.
[0038] The control panel material used in the other panel portions
12, 13 and 16, 17 is preferably a stretch tricot material, a
cotton/spandex knit material or a poly/spandex knit material having
a weight 125-180 g/m.sup.2, and a 75-270% length/100-150% width
elongation under a 10 lb load. These materials are preferred
because they have everyday wearability characteristics, comfortable
stretch properties, and a modulus of elasticity that assists in the
overall smoothing appearance of the wearer's body.
[0039] It should be noted that although the number of layers of
material in the presently preferred embodiment of the garment has
been described herein with respect to a particular number of
layers, the actual number of layers in the garment may vary based
on specific requirements of the garment being constructed, such as
for a particular weight garment for a certain season of use.
Accordingly, the number of layers of material shown in the
presently preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 is merely illustrative
and in no way excludes other combinations of layers that may be
employed by one of ordinary skill in the art to achieve the
benefits of the present invention.
[0040] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
As such, it will be readily evident to one of skill in the art
based on the detailed description of the presently preferred
embodiment of the garment explained herein, that different types of
garments can be realized.
* * * * *