U.S. patent application number 13/334703 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy David Abate, Chad Richard Buecker, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Rebecca Catherine Mohr. Invention is credited to Timothy David Abate, Chad Richard Buecker, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Rebecca Catherine Mohr.
Application Number | 20130160181 13/334703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48653130 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130160181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mohr; Rebecca Catherine ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
GARMENT
Abstract
A garment can have an upper body section. The upper body section
of the garment can have a stretchable portion. A spring constant
ratio of the stretchable portion to the garment material may be at
least about 1.0. The percent set ratio of the stretchable portion
to the garment material may be less than about 1.0. The garment may
also have a lower body section. The lower body section of the
garment may have a fit panel. The spring constant ratio of the fit
panel to the garment material may be less than about 1.0.
Inventors: |
Mohr; Rebecca Catherine;
(Appleton, WI) ; Hancock-Cooke; Catherine Marguerite;
(Neenah, WI) ; Abate; Timothy David; (Neenah,
WI) ; Buecker; Chad Richard; (Fort Thomas,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mohr; Rebecca Catherine
Hancock-Cooke; Catherine Marguerite
Abate; Timothy David
Buecker; Chad Richard |
Appleton
Neenah
Neenah
Fort Thomas |
WI
WI
WI
KY |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48653130 |
Appl. No.: |
13/334703 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A garment comprising a garment material and an upper body
section, the upper body section comprising a stretchable portion,
wherein a spring constant ratio of the stretchable portion to the
garment material is at least about 1.0 and a percent set ratio of
the stretchable portion to the garment material is less than about
1.0.
2. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a head opening bounded
by a head opening perimeter edge.
3. The garment of claim 2 wherein the stretchable portion comprises
a portion of the head opening perimeter edge.
4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the stretchable portion extends a
length of at least about 1 mm as measured from the head opening
perimeter edge across a width.
5. The garment of claim 4 wherein the stretchable portion extends
in a direction selected from at least one of longitudinal,
transverse, diagonal, and combinations thereof.
6. The garment of claim 3 wherein the stretchable portion extends
an equal length from the head opening perimeter edge across a
width.
7. The garment of claim 3 wherein the stretchable portion extends
an unequal length from the head opening perimeter edge across a
width.
8. A garment comprising an upper body section, a lower body
section, and a central body section connecting the upper body
section and the lower body section, wherein each section is formed
of a garment material, the upper body section comprising a
stretchable portion, the stretchable portion comprising a spring
constant ratio of the stretchable portion to the garment material
is at least about 1.0 and a percent set ratio of the stretchable
portion to the garment material is less than about 1.0; and the
lower body section comprising a fit panel, the fit panel comprising
a spring constant ratio of the fit panel to the garment material is
less than about 1.0.
9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the upper body section further
comprises a perimeter comprising: a first transverse edge extending
from a first scapular acromion of a wearer to a second scapular
acromion of the wearer as the garment is worn; a second transverse
edge extending from the intersection of the sixth rib with the
midaxillary line on a first side of the wearer's body to the
intersection of the sixth rib with the midaxillary line on a second
side of the wearer's body as the garment is worn; a first
longitudinal edge extending from the scapular acromion of the
wearer on a first side of the wearer's body to about the
intersection of the sixth rib with the midaxillary line on the
first side of the wearer's body as the garment is worn; and a
second longitudinal edge extending from the scapular acromion of
the wearer on a second side of the wearer's body to about the
intersection of the sixth rib with the midaxillary line on the
second side of the wearer's body as the garment is worn.
10. The garment of claim 8 wherein the lower body section further
comprises a perimeter comprising: a first transverse edge which
extends from a first side of a wearer's body to a second side of
the wearer's body at the natural waistline of the wearer's body as
the garment is worn; a second transverse edge which extends from a
first side of a wearer's body to a second side of the wearer's body
along the lower most edge of the garment as the garment is not
worn; a first longitudinal edge which extends downward from the
natural waistline on the first side of the wearer's body as the
garment is worn; and a second longitudinal edge which extends
downward from the natural waistline on the second side of the
wearer's body as the garment is worn.
11. The garment of claim 8 wherein the lower body section is
adapted to pass between the wearer's legs.
12. The garment of claim 8 wherein a direction of greatest
elongation of the stretchable portion is oriented with a direction
of greatest elongation of the garment material as the garment is
worn.
13. The garment of claim 8 wherein a direction of greatest
elongation of the fit panel is oriented with a direction of least
elongation of the garment material as the garment is worn.
14. A garment comprising a garment material and an upper body
section, the upper body section comprising a stretchable portion
and a head opening, the head opening comprising a head opening
perimeter edge, wherein the stretchable portion comprises a portion
of the head opening perimeter edge; a spring constant ratio of the
stretchable portion to the garment material is at least about 1.0;
and a percent set ratio of the stretchable portion to the garment
material is less than about 1.0.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Current garments, such as, for example, those for infants,
have drawbacks including poor fit and lack of ease of donning and
removing the garment. Infants generally have larger heads in
proportion to the remainder of their bodies when compared to
children or adults. This large head size has led to garments being
constructed to have a large head opening in order to fit over the
infant's head. Once the garment is applied to the infant, the large
head opening of the garment does not provide a close fit to the
infant's body thus causing loss of warmth from the infant. In an
attempt to correct this problem, current garments have snaps or
other fasteners in the neck area of the garment.
[0002] A one-piece garment generally requires that the garment be
placed on the infant by pulling the garment over the infant's head
and then mating front and back fasteners that are located in the
crotch area of the garment. The one-piece garment can be removed
from the infant in the opposite manner by unmating the fasteners in
the crotch area and then pulling the garment over the infant's
head. A drawback of the one-piece garment is the lack of ease of
removal in a blow-out situation when the diaper fails to contain
fecal exudate. The design of the one-piece garment generally
requires the caregiver to remove the garment by pulling it over the
infant's head which causes the fecal matter to smear on the
infant's body as well as potentially enter such facial orifices as
the eyes, nostrils or mouth. In such a situation, many caregivers
may resort to cutting the garment off of the infant. A good value
is not provided to the caregiver when the garment cannot be used
for the expected lifetime of the garment.
[0003] There remains a need for a garment that allows for ease of
application over the wearer's head while also providing a close,
warmth-retaining, and comfortable fit around the neck of the
wearer. There also remains a need to facilitate removal of a
garment other than by pulling it off over the wearer's head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an embodiment, a garment comprises a garment material and
an upper body section. The upper body section comprises a
stretchable portion. A spring constant ratio of the stretchable
portion to the garment material is at least about 1.0. A percent
set ratio of the stretchable portion to the garment material is
less than about 1.0.
[0005] In an embodiment, a garment comprises an upper body section,
a lower body section, and a central body section. The central body
section connects the upper body section and the lower body section.
Each section is formed of a garment material. The upper body
section comprises a stretchable portion. A spring constant ratio of
the stretchable portion to the garment material is at least about
1.0. A percent set ratio of the stretchable portion to the garment
material is less than about 1.0. The lower body section comprises a
fit panel. A spring constant ratio of the fit panel to the garment
material is less than about 1.0.
[0006] In an embodiment, a garment comprises a garment material and
an upper body section. The upper body section comprises a
stretchable portion. The upper body section comprises a head
opening. The head opening comprises a head opening perimeter edge.
The stretchable portion comprises a portion of the head opening
perimeter edge. A spring constant ratio of the stretchable portion
to the garment material is at least about 1.0. A percent set ratio
of the stretchable portion to the garment material is less than
about 1.0.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a partial skeletal
anatomy of the body of an infant.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the rib and axilla anatomy
of the upper body of an infant.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the body of an
infant.
[0010] FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate front views of embodiments of
multiple stretchable portions.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a typical stress-strain curve.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
garment.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a
garment.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
garment.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure relates to a garment having an upper
body section having a stretchable portion. In an embodiment, the
present disclosure relates to a garment having a lower body section
having a fit panel. For ease of clarity, in the disclosure herein,
the garment will be described, in a non-limiting example, as a
garment that can be worn by an infant. It is to be understood that
the disclosure herein can apply to garments worn by adults and
children.
[0017] The present disclosure will be expressed in terms of its
various components, elements, constructions, configurations,
arrangements and other features that may also be individually or
collectively be referenced by the term, "embodiment(s)" of the
disclosure, or other similar terms. It is contemplated that the
various forms of the present disclosure may incorporate one or more
of its various features and embodiments, and that such features and
embodiments may be employed in any desired, operative combination
thereof.
[0018] It should be noted that, when employed in the present
disclosure, the terms "comprise", "comprising" and other
derivatives from the root term "comprise" are intended to be
open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features,
elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
elements, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
[0019] "Elastic" refers herein to a property of a material which
tends to recover to a size and shape after removal of a force
causing deformation of the material from its initial size and
shape.
[0020] "Elongation" refers herein to the ratio of the length of the
extension of a material to the length of the material prior to the
extension. Elongation is expressed in percent.
[0021] "Head circumference" refers herein to the distance around
the head that is measured above the eyebrow ridges and over the
external occipital protuberance.
[0022] "Neck circumference" refers herein to the distance around
the neck that is measured at the level of the larynx.
[0023] "Nonwoven" refers herein to materials which are formed
without the aid of a textile weaving or knitting process.
[0024] "Scapular acromion" refers herein to the uppermost, outer
protruding end of the scapula, or shoulder blade, to which the
collarbone is attached.
[0025] "Tension" herein refers to a uniaxial force, or load,
causing the extension of a material, or to a balancing force within
that material resisting the extension.
[0026] Anatomical position references of the human body can be used
to define the upper body section 12 and the lower body section 23
of garment 10. With reference to FIG. 1, an infant 21 is shown with
the skin cut away exposing a partial skeleton of the infant 21. The
sixth rib 22, the midaxillary line 26, the scapular acromion 32,
and the intersection 30 of the sixth rib 22 with the midaxillary
line 26 are illustrated. The location of the midaxillary line 26 is
shown in FIG. 2 relative to the anterior axillary line 24 and the
posterior axillary line 28. The axillary lines 24, 26 and 28 are
referenced from the midpoint of the axilla (not shown), commonly
known as the armpit. The midaxillary line 26 is a vertical line
that runs downward from the apex (not shown) or highest point of
the axilla cavity. The anterior axillary line 24 and the posterior
axillary line 28 are vertical lines drawn along the folds of skin
that are created when the arm hangs at the side of the body. The
anterior axillary line 24 is a vertical line running downward from
the fold of skin on the front 3 of the body and the posterior
axillary line 28 is a vertical line running downward from the fold
of skin on the back 5 of the body. The natural waistline 36 is a
line that can be drawn around the circumference of the wearer's
body at the folds of skin that are formed when the wearer bends
from their waist to each side, 52 and 53, of their body as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0027] Garment 10 may be made from materials referred to as garment
material 25. The garment material 25 of a garment 10 has different
values of elastic properties than a stretchable portion 14 or a fit
panel 80 of a garment 10. Elastic properties of a material can
include but are not limited to, elongation, tension, percent set
54, and the spring constant, k, of the material. The garment
material 25, the stretchable portion 14, and the fit panel 80 may
be anisotropic materials. Anisotropy implies that the material
properties differ according to the direction of measurement; as
opposed to isotropy, which implies that the material properties are
identical in all directions of measurement. In an embodiment, the
direction of greatest elongation of the garment material 25 is in
the transverse direction and the direction of least elongation of
the garment material 25 is in the longitudinal direction as garment
10 is worn. For example, in an embodiment, garment material 25 may
elongate to about 80% for a tension load that is from about 75 to
about 125 grams force per inch width in the direction of greatest
elongation as the garment 10 is worn and garment material 25 may
elongate to about 20% for a tension load that is from about 150 to
about 250 grams force per inch width in the direction of least
elongation as the garment 10 is worn. Garment material 25 may have
a percent set 54 from about 15% to about 25%, and may have a spring
constant, k, from about 0.75 to about 1.75. Garment material 25 may
be knit, woven or nonwoven fabrics which may withstand multiple
uses and launderings. Typical garment materials 25 of a garment 10
may be, but are not limited to, cotton or polyester knit fabrics,
blended fiber knit fabrics, blended fiber woven fabrics, flannel,
corduroy, denim, fleece, wool, cashmere, velvet, velour, linen or
gabardine.
[0028] Garment 10 may be in the form of various embodiments which
may include, but are not limited to, a shirt 20, a bottom-enclosed
garment 50, or a one-piece garment 60. The garment 10 may have an
upper body section 12. In an embodiment, a stretchable portion 14
can be included within the upper body section 12. The upper body
section 12 may include a head opening 11 which is bound by a head
opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment, the stretchable
portion 14 can include at least a portion of the head opening
perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment, garment 10 may have a lower
body section 23. The lower body section 23 may include a fit panel
80. A central body section 29 can connect the upper body section 12
to the lower body section 23 of a garment 10.
[0029] In an embodiment, garment 10 may include seams which may
connect the front 13 of the garment 10 to the back 15 of the
garment 10 at each top of the shoulder 34 and/or at each
longitudinal side, 52 and 53, of the body, which may connect
sleeves 18 to the garment 10, which may attach a stretchable
portion 14 or a fit panel 80 to garment material 25, and which may
form hems for each of the sleeves 18 and on the edges of garment
10.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, and using anatomical
positions as reference points, a perimeter of an upper body section
12 of a garment 10 has a first edge 41 which extends in the
transverse direction from a first scapular acromion 32 to a second
scapular acromion 33 as the garment 10 is worn. The perimeter of an
upper body section 12 of a garment 10 has a second edge 42 which
extends in the transverse direction from the first intersection 30
of the sixth rib 22 with the midaxillary line 26 on a first side 52
of the wearer's body as the garment 10 is worn, to the second
intersection 31 of the sixth rib 22 with the midaxillary line 26 on
the second side 53 of the wearer's body as the garment 10 is worn.
The perimeter of an upper body section 12 of a garment 10 includes
a third edge 43 which extends in the longitudinal direction from a
first scapular acromion 32 of the wearer on a first side 52 of the
wearer's body to the first intersection 30 of the sixth rib 22 with
the midaxillary line 26 on the first side 52 of the wearer's body
as the garment 10 is worn. The perimeter of an upper body section
12 of a garment 10 includes a fourth edge 44 which extends in the
longitudinal direction from the second scapular acromion 33 of the
wearer on a second side 53 of the wearer's body to the second
intersection 31 of the sixth rib 22 with the midaxillary line 26 on
the second side 53 of the wearer's body as the garment 10 is worn.
While an upper body section 12 of a garment 10 is shown and
described with reference and illustration to the anterior of the
body, it is to be understood that the upper body section 12 of the
garment 10 can cover the anterior, posterior, and sides, 52 and 53,
of the wearer's body.
[0031] In an embodiment, the garment 10 may include an arm opening
68 for each of the wearer's arms in the upper body section 12. In
an embodiment, a sleeve 18 may be included in the upper body
section 12 of garment 10 for each of the wearer's arms. In an
embodiment, a fastening system 69 may be included in the upper body
section 12 of garment 10. In an embodiment, a fastening system 69
may be included within the stretchable portion 14 of the upper body
section 12. It should be understood that a fastening system 69 is
often two pieces such as a snap and its mating component or a
button and a button hole. Examples of suitable fastening systems 69
may include, but are not limited to, buttons, ties, ribbons, snaps,
hooks, loops, friction based fasteners, inter-locking fasteners,
inter-engaging fasteners, cohesive fasteners, adhesive fasteners,
and their respective mating components.
[0032] A lower body section 23 of garment 10 can also be described
with the use of anatomical position references. Referring to FIG.
3, the lower body section 23 of garment 10 has a first edge 38
which extends in the transverse direction at the natural waistline
36 from a first side 52 of a wearer's body to a second side 53 of
the wearer's body as a garment 10 is worn. The lower body section
23 of a garment 10 includes a second edge 39 which extends in the
longitudinal direction downward from the natural waistline 36 on
the first side 52 of the wearer's body as the garment 10 is worn.
The lower body section 23 of a garment 10 includes a third edge 40
which extends in the longitudinal direction downward from the
natural waistline 36 on the second side 53 of the wearer's body as
the garment 10 is worn. An additional transverse edge 45 of the
lower body section 23 of a garment 10 may be described as the lower
most edge of the garment 10 which extends from a first side 52 of
the wearer's body to a second side 53 of the wearer's body while
garment 10 is not being worn as shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 9. It
is to be understood that the transverse edge 45 can occupy the same
transverse plane in the anterior and posterior of the garment 10,
different transverse planes in the anterior and posterior of the
garment 10, the same transverse plane on the first side of the
garment 62 as on the second side of the garment 63, and different
transverse planes as on the first side of the garment 62 to the
second side of the garment 63. While the lower body section 23 is
shown and described with reference and illustration to the anterior
of the body, it is to be understood that the lower body section 23
of the garment 10 can cover the anterior, posterior, and first and
second sides, 52 and 53, of the wearer's body.
[0033] The lower body section 23 of garment 10 may be fully open as
in an embodiment such as a shirt 20, may be capable of being in an
open or closed configuration as in an embodiment such as a
one-piece garment 60, or may be fully enclosed such as in an
embodiment of a bottom-enclosed sack garment 50. The lower body
section 23 of one-piece garment 60 can be adapted such that a
portion can pass between the wearer's legs as shown in FIG. 8 and
FIG. 9. In such an embodiment, the lower body section 23 can have
at least one extension of garment material 25 which may be a tail
70 that passes between the wearer's legs. The lower body section 23
can include a tail 70 in the front 13 of garment 60, a tail 70 in
the back 15 of garment 60, or combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, tail 70 in the back 15 of garment 60 can be of a longer
length than tail 70 in the front 13 of garment 60 and can extend
further between the wearer's legs than the tail 70 in the front 13
of garment 60. It is to be understood that tail 70 in the front 13
of garment 60 can be longer than tail 70 in the back 15 of garment
60, or the two tails, the front 13 tail 70 and the back 15 tail 70,
can be the same length. The tail(s) 70 may be of any suitable
length that provides for good fit on the wearer.
[0034] In an embodiment, the garment 10 may include a leg opening
17 for each of the wearer's legs in the lower body section 23. The
lower body section 23 of garment 10 may include a fastening system
69.
[0035] The garment 10 includes at least one stretchable portion 14
in the upper body section 12. A stretchable portion 14 could be
placed anywhere inside of the upper body section 12 as deemed
suitable. A stretchable portion 14 could be placed in the front 13,
the back 15, the sides 62 or 63, and combinations thereof, of the
upper body section 12 of garment 10. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can include a shape, length dimensions,
width dimensions, and an area that may be substantially the same as
an area of the upper body section 12 of garment 10. In an
embodiment, a stretchable portion 14 may include a portion of the
head opening perimeter edge 16 of garment 10. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 located within the upper body section 12 of
garment 10 may not include a portion of the head opening perimeter
edge 16. In an embodiment, there may be multiple stretchable
portions 14 within the upper body section 12 of garment 10. In an
embodiment in which garment 10 includes multiple stretchable
portions 14, the multiple stretchable portions 14 may include a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16, may not include a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16, or combinations
thereof. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 may be
separately attached to or integral with the upper body section 12
of garment 10. The description of the stretchable portion 14 herein
is meant to convey the principles of the current document and is
not meant to limit its application to the specific designs
exemplified herein.
[0036] A stretchable portion 14 can have an area which is
substantially the same area of the upper body section 12 or can be
a portion of the upper body section 12 and have an area smaller
than the area of the upper body section 12. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 may include at least a portion of the head
opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment, the stretchable
portion 14 of the upper body section 12 may include at least two
portions of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment,
the stretchable portion 14 of the upper body section 12 can include
at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or
ten portions of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In an
embodiment in which the stretchable portion 14 of the upper body
section 12 includes multiple portions of the head opening perimeter
edge 16, the multiple portions of the head opening perimeter edge
16 included in the stretchable portion 14 can be spaced apart from
each other any distance deemed suitable. In an embodiment, for
example, a stretchable portion 14 can include two portions of the
head opening perimeter edge 16 which can be located anywhere on the
head opening perimeter edge 16 such as, for example, both in the
front 13 of the head opening perimeter edge 16, both in the back 15
of the head opening perimeter edge 16, one in the front 13 and one
in the back 15 of the head opening perimeter edge 16, one on each
side, 62 and 63, of the head opening perimeter edge 16, and
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, for example, a stretchable
portion 14 can include four portions of the head opening perimeter
edge 16 in which each of the portions can be located, for example
in the following locations: one portion in the front 13 of the head
opening perimeter edge 16, one portion in the back 15 of the head
opening perimeter edge 16, and one portion on each side, 62 and 63,
of the head opening perimeter edge 16. It is to be understood that
the portion(s) of the head opening perimeter edge 16 included in
the stretchable portion 14 can be any portion of the head opening
perimeter edge 16 as deemed suitable. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can include the entire head opening
perimeter edge 16. It is to be understood that it is not necessary
that the stretchable portion 14 include a portion of the head
opening perimeter edge 16.
[0037] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have multiple
stretchable portions 14 in the upper body section 12. Each
stretchable portion 14 can have an area that is smaller than the
area of the upper body section 12. The combined area of each
stretchable portion 14 can have an area that is smaller than the
area of upper body section 12. In an embodiment, each stretchable
portion 14 of the upper body section 12 may include at least a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment,
there may be two stretchable portions 14 within the upper body
section 12 wherein each stretchable portion 14 may include at least
a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment,
the upper body section 12 can include at least one, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten stretchable portions 14
wherein each stretchable portion 14 includes a portion of the head
opening perimeter edge 16. In an embodiment in which there are
multiple stretchable portions 14 of the upper body section 12 and
wherein each stretchable portion 14 may include a portion of the
head opening perimeter edge 16, the multiple stretchable portions
14 can be spaced apart from each other any distance deemed
suitable. In an embodiment, for example, there may be two
stretchable portions 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
include a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16 which can
be located anywhere on the head opening perimeter edge 16 such as,
for example, both in the front 13 of the head opening perimeter
edge 16, both in the back 15 of the head opening perimeter edge 16,
one in the front 13 and one in the back 15 of the head opening
perimeter edge 16, one on each side, 62 and 63, of the head opening
perimeter edge 16, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, for
example, there may be four stretchable portions 14 wherein each
stretchable portion 14 can include a portion of the head opening
perimeter edge 16 in which each of the portions can be located, for
example in the following locations: one portion in the front 13 of
the head opening perimeter edge 16, one portion in the back 15 of
the head opening perimeter edge 16, and one portion on each side,
62 and 63, of the head opening perimeter edge 16. It is to be
understood that the multiple stretchable portions 14 wherein each
stretchable portion 14 may include a portion of the head opening
perimeter edge 16, can be any portion of the head opening perimeter
edge 16 as deemed suitable. It is to be understood that it is not
necessary that each of the multiple stretchable portions 14 include
a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16.
[0038] In an embodiment in which a stretchable portion 14 includes
at least a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16, the
stretchable portion 14 may extend any length as deemed suitable in
any direction, such as longitudinally, transversely, diagonally, or
combinations thereof, away from the head opening perimeter edge 16.
This length may be any length as deemed suitable up to and
including the length between the head opening perimeter edge 16 and
the perimeter of the upper body section 12. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can extend a length of at least about 1 mm.
In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can extend a length of
at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm. In an
embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can extend a length of at
least about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0 cm. In
an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can extend a length of at
least about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 10 cm. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can have a width. The width of the
stretchable portion 14 can be any width as deemed suitable. In an
embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can extend an equal length
from the head opening perimeter edge 16 across the width of the
stretchable portion 14. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion
14 can extend varying lengths from the head opening perimeter edge
16 across the width of the stretchable portion 14. In an
embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at least
about 1 mm. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can have a
width of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm. In an
embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at least
about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 cm. In an
embodiment, for example, the stretchable portion 14 can have a
width of at least about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 10 cm.
[0039] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have multiple
stretchable portions 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
include a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In such an
embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 can: 1) extend the same
length from the head opening perimeter edge 16 across the width of
the stretchable portion 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 has
the same width as any other stretchable portion 14 which includes a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16; 2) extend the same
length from the head opening perimeter edge 16 across the width of
the stretchable portion 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 has
a different width than any other stretchable portion 14 that
includes a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16; or 3)
extend the same length from the head opening perimeter edge 16
across the width of the stretchable portion 14 wherein each
stretchable portion 14 extends a different length across a
different width than any other stretchable portion 14 that includes
a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16.
[0040] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have multiple
stretchable portions 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
include a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16 and each
stretchable portion 14 can extend a varying length across a uniform
width. In an embodiment wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
extend a varying length, each stretchable portion 14 can have a
maximum length 92. In an embodiment, each stretchable portion 14
can extend varying lengths across a uniform width wherein each
stretchable portion 14 extends to the same maximum length 92 across
the same uniform width as any other stretchable portion 14 that
includes a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. In an
embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 can extend varying lengths
across a uniform width wherein each stretchable portion 14 extends
to a different maximum length 92 across the same uniform width than
any other stretchable portion 14 that includes a portion of the
head opening perimeter edge 16.
[0041] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have multiple
stretchable portions 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
include a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16 and each
stretchable portion 14 can extend a varying length across a varying
width. In an embodiment wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
extend a varying length, each stretchable portion 14 includes a
maximum length 92. In an embodiment wherein each stretchable
portion 14 includes a varying width, each stretchable portion 14
includes a maximum width 90. The maximum width 90 of each
stretchable portion 14 may be located at the head opening perimeter
edge 16, at the maximum length 92, or at a location between the
head opening perimeter edge 16 and the maximum length 92. The
maximum width 90 of each stretchable portion 14 may be at the same
location within the stretchable portion 14 as any other stretchable
portion 14. For example, in an embodiment, each stretchable portion
14 may have the maximum width 90 at the head opening perimeter edge
16. In an embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 may have the
maximum width 90 located at the maximum length 92. In an
embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 may have the maximum width
90 located at the same distance between the head opening perimeter
edge 16 and the maximum length 92. In an embodiment, the maximum
width 90 of each stretchable portion 14 may be at a different
location than any other stretchable portion 14.
[0042] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have multiple
stretchable portions 14 wherein each stretchable portion 14 can
include a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16 and each
stretchable portion 14 can extend a varying length across the same
maximum width 90 or a different maximum width 90 than any other
stretchable portion 14 that includes a portion of the head opening
perimeter edge 16. For example, in an embodiment, each stretchable
portion 14 can extend a varying length across a width wherein each
stretchable portion 14 extends a different maximum length 92 across
a different maximum width 90 than any other stretchable portion 14
that includes a portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16 as
shown in FIG. 4A. In an embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 can
extend a varying length across a width wherein each stretchable
portion 14 extends the same maximum length 92 across the same
maximum width 90 wherein the maximum width 90 is at the same
location as any other stretchable portion 14 that includes a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4B, each stretchable portion 14 includes the same
maximum width 90 which is located at the head opening perimeter
edge 16 and each stretchable portion 14 extends the same maximum
length 92. In an embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 can extend
a varying length across a width wherein each stretchable portion 14
extends the same maximum length 92 across a different maximum width
90 wherein the maximum width 90 is at the same location as any
other stretchable portion 14 that includes a portion of the head
opening perimeter edge 16 as shown in FIG. 4C. In an embodiment,
each stretchable portion 14 can extend a varying length across a
width wherein each stretchable portion 14 extends a different
maximum length 92 across the same maximum width 90 wherein the
maximum width 90 is at the same location as any other stretchable
portion 14 that includes a portion of the head opening perimeter
edge 16 as shown in FIG. 4D. It is to be understood that a garment
10 including multiple stretchable portions 14 may be an embodiment
or combinations of the previously described multiple stretchable
portions 14.
[0043] In an embodiment, a stretchable portion 14 may not include a
portion of the head opening perimeter edge 16. The stretchable
portion 14 can be a portion of the upper body section 12 and have
an area that is smaller than the area of upper body section 12. In
an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 may be located in at
least two locations of the upper body section 12. In an embodiment,
the stretchable portion 14 of upper body section 12 can be located
in at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or
ten locations of the upper body section 12. In an embodiment in
which the stretchable portion 14 is located in multiple locations
of the upper body section 12, the multiple stretchable portions 14
can be spaced apart from each other any distance deemed suitable.
In an embodiment, for example, in which the upper body section 12
includes two stretchable portions 14, the two stretchable portions
14 can be located anywhere in the upper body section 12 such as,
for example, both in the front 13 of the upper body section 12,
both in the back 15 of the upper body section 12, one in the front
13 and one in the back 15 of the upper body section 12, one on each
side, 62 and 63, of the upper body section 12, and combinations
thereof. In an embodiment, for example, stretchable portions 14 can
be included in four portions of the upper body section 12 such as,
for example in the following locations: one portion in the front 13
of the upper body section 12, one portion in the back 15 of the
upper body section 12, and one portion on each side, 62 and 63, of
the upper body section 12.
[0044] A stretchable portion 14 located within the upper body
section 12 may have a length as deemed suitable up to and including
the total length between the transverse edges 41 and 42 of the
upper body section 12. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14
can have a length of at least about 1 mm. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can have a length of at least about 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm. In an embodiment, the stretchable
portion 14 can have a length of at least about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,
3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0 cm. In an embodiment, the stretchable
portion 14 can have a length of at least about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 10
cm. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can have a width.
The width of the stretchable portion 14 can be any width as deemed
suitable up to and including the total width between edges 43 and
44 of the upper body section 12. In an embodiment, the stretchable
portion 14 can have a uniform width. In an embodiment, the
stretchable portion 14 can have varying widths. In an embodiment,
the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at least about 1 mm.
In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at
least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm. In an embodiment,
the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at least about 1.0,
1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 cm. In an embodiment, for
example, the stretchable portion 14 can have a width of at least
about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 10 cm. In an embodiment, the garment 10 can
have multiple stretchable portions 14 within upper body section 12.
In such an embodiment, each stretchable portion 14 can: 1) have a
uniform length across the width of each stretchable portion 14; 2)
have varying lengths across the width of each stretchable portion
14; or 3) have a uniform or varying lengths across the width of
each stretchable portion 14 as compared with any other stretchable
portion 14 within the upper body section 12.
[0045] In an embodiment, the garment 10 can have a lower body
section 23 and the lower body section 23 can include a fit panel
80. The fit panel 80, for example, can be a mechanism to provide
adjustable fit to a one-piece garment 60. The fit panel 80 could be
placed anywhere inside of the lower body section 23. The fit panel
80 could be placed in the front 13, the back 15, or the sides, 62
or 63, and combinations thereof in the lower body section 23 of
garment 10. In an embodiment, the fit panel 80 may be separately
attached to or integral with the lower body section 23 of garment
10. The description of the fit panel 80 herein is meant to convey
the principles of the current document and is not meant to limit
its application to the specific designs exemplified herein.
[0046] A fit panel 80 can have an area which is substantially the
same as the area of the lower body section 23 or can be a portion
of the lower body section 23 and have an area smaller than the area
of the lower body section 23. In an embodiment, a fit panel 80 of
the lower body section 23 can be located in at least one, two,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten locations of the
lower body section 23. In an embodiment in which a fit panel 80 of
the lower body section 23 is located in multiple locations of the
lower body section 23, the multiple fit panels 80 can be spaced
apart from each other any distance deemed suitable. In an
embodiment, for example, two fit panels 80 can be located in two
locations of the lower body section 23 and each fit panel 80 can be
located anywhere in the lower body section 23 such as, for example,
both in the front 13 of the lower body section 23, both in the back
15 of the lower body section 23, one in the front 13 and one in the
back 15 of the lower body section 23, one on each side, 62 and 63,
of the lower body section 23 and combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, for example, four fit panels 80 can be included in four
locations of the lower body section 23 in which each of the fit
panels 80 can be located, for example, in the following locations:
one fit panel 80 in the front 13 of lower body section 23, one fit
panel 80 in the back 15 of lower body section 23, and one fit panel
80 on each side, 62 and 63, of the lower body section 23. It is to
be understood that the fit panel(s) 80 located in the lower body
portion 23 can be located in any location of the lower body section
23 as deemed suitable.
[0047] In an embodiment, the fit panel 80 may have any length
within the lower body section 23 of garment 10. This length may be
any length as deemed suitable up to and including the total length
between the transverse edges 38 and 45 of the lower body section
23. In an embodiment, the fit panel 80 can have a length of at
least about 1 mm. In an embodiment, the fit panel 80 can have a
length of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm. In an
embodiment, the fit panel 80 can have a length of at least about
1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 cm. In an embodiment,
the fit panel 80 can have a length of at least about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
or 10 cm. In an embodiment, a fit panel 80 may have any width
within the lower body section 23 of garment 10. The length of fit
panel 80 may be uniform or vary across the width of fit panel 80.
The width of fit panel 80 can be any width as deemed suitable up to
and including the total width between the edges 39 and 40 of the
lower body section 23. In an embodiment, the fit panel 80 can have
a uniform width. In an embodiment, fit panel 80 can have varying
widths. In an embodiment, a fit panel 80 can have a width of at
least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm. In an embodiment, a
fit panel 80 can have a width of at least about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,
3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 cm. In an embodiment, for example, a fit
panel 80 can have a width of at least about 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 10 cm.
In an embodiment, a garment 10 can have multiple fit panels 80
located within the lower body section 23. In such an embodiment,
each fit panel 80 can have a uniform length across the width of fit
panel 80, each fit panel 80 can have varying lengths across the
width of fit panel 80, or each fit panel 80 can have a uniform or
varying length across the width of fit panel 80 as any other fit
panel 80 located within the lower body section 23.
[0048] The stretchable portion 14 and the fit panel 80 can be made
of materials that have different values of elastic properties than
the remainder of garment material 25 of a garment 10. Knit, woven
or nonwoven fabrics which may withstand multiple uses and
launderings, and which have different elastic properties than
garment material 25 can be used for stretchable portion 14 or fit
panel 80. In an embodiment, the direction of greatest elongation of
a stretchable portion 14 is oriented with the direction of greatest
elongation of garment material 25 as the garment 10 is worn. In an
embodiment, the direction of greatest elongation of garment
material 25 can be in the transverse direction as the garment 10 is
worn. In an embodiment, the direction of greatest elongation of a
fit panel 80 is oriented with the direction of least elongation of
the garment material 25. In an embodiment, the direction of least
elongation of garment material 25 can be in the longitudinal
direction as the garment 10 is worn. In an embodiment, stretchable
portion 14 or fit panel 80 may elongate to about 80% for a tension
load that is from about 100 to about 250 grams force per inch
width, may have a percent set 54 from about 6% to about 14%, and
may have a spring constant, k, from about 2.0 to about 4.5.
Suitable nonwoven materials that may be used for stretchable
portion 14 or fit panel 80 may include, but are not limited to,
spandex knit materials, stretch-bonded film laminates,
stretch-bonded filament laminates, neck-bonded laminates and films.
Exemplary nonwoven materials can include, but are not limited to:
1) a necked-bonded laminate including two facing layers bonded on
either side of a film layer. The facing layers are necked spunbond
polypropylene nonwoven webs having a necked basis weight of 52
grams per square meter. The film layer is a blend of KRATON.RTM.
MD6691, DOW.RTM. XUS-58380.05L, and DOW.RTM. 621I resins (each
available from Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Houston, Tex., and The Dow
Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., respectively) having a basis
weight of 34 grams per square meter; 2) a stretch-bonded laminate
including two facing layers bonded on either side of a
pre-stretched filament layer. The facing layers are spunbond
polypropylene nonwoven webs having a basis weight of 20 grams per
square meter. The pre-stretched filament layer is a blend of
KRATON.RTM. MD6691, DOW.RTM. XUS-58380.05L, and DOW.RTM. 621I
resins (each available from Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Houston,
Tex., and The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., respectively)
having a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter; 3) a
stretch-bonded laminate including two facing layers bonded on
either side of a film layer. The facing layers are spunbond
polypropylene nonwoven webs having a basis weight of 15 grams per
square meter. The film layer is VISTAMAXX.TM. 6102FL resin
(available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex.) having
a basis weight of 32 grams per square meter; or 4) a necked-bonded
laminate including two facing layers bonded on either side of a
film layer. The facing layers are necked spunbond polypropylene
nonwoven webs having a necked basis weight of 55 grams per square
meter. The film layer is a blend of DOW.RTM. XUS-58380.06L and
DOW.RTM. 621I resins (each available from Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC,
Houston, Tex., and The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich.,
respectively) having a basis weight of 35 grams per square meter.
The stretchable portion 14 or fit panel 80 can also be a single
layer film or a film laminate wherein the single layer film is
laminated to another film or films, laminated to a nonwoven, or
combinations thereof.
[0049] While the stretchable portion 14 has been described as a
portion of the upper body section 12 of garment 10, it is to be
understood that a stretchable portion 14 can be located in the
central body section 29 or in the lower body section 23 of garment
10. Although the fit panel 80 has been described as a portion of
the lower body section 23 of garment 10, it is to be understood
that a fit panel 80 can be located in the central body section 29
or in the upper body section 12 of garment 10.
[0050] The garment material 25, stretchable portion 14, and or fit
panel 80 may be characterized by their elastic properties. The test
procedure used for determining the elastic properties of garment
material 25, stretchable portion 14, and fit panel 80 is a
Multi-Cycle Stress/Strain Test as described herein.
[0051] In an embodiment, the material of the stretchable portion 14
can be attached to or integral with garment material 25 in the
upper body section 12 such that the direction of greatest
elongation of the stretchable portion 14 is oriented with the
transverse direction of the garment material 25 as the garment 10
is worn. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the
elongation of the stretchable portion 14 and garment material 25 in
the transverse direction allows for ease of application and removal
of the garment 10 as the head opening perimeter edge 16 of garment
10 is extended in the transverse direction to fit over the head
and/or the shoulders of the infant 21. In an embodiment, the
material of the fit panel 80 can be attached to or integral with
garment material 25 in lower body section 23 such that the
direction of greatest elongation of fit panel 80 is oriented with
the longitudinal direction of the garment material 25 as the
garment 10 is worn. Without being bound by theory, it is believed
that the elongation of the fit panel 80 and garment material 25 in
the longitudinal direction can allow for adjustable fit in the
lower body section 23 of the garment 10. For example, in an
embodiment of a one-piece garment 60, tail 70 in the back 15 of the
one-piece garment 60 may include a fit panel 80 which is extended
in the longitudinal direction of the garment 10 to pass between the
wearer's legs and attach to the front 13 of the one-piece garment
60. It is to be understood that the stretchable portion 14 or the
fit panel 80 could be oriented in the opposite direction of
elongation to the garment material 25 than those previously
described.
[0052] In an embodiment, the head opening perimeter edge 16 of a
garment 10 can extend to a dimension that is large enough to fit
over the widest part of the infant's 21 body. While the stretchable
portion 14 of upper body section 12 need not include a portion of
the head opening perimeter edge 16, the stretchable portion 14 can
assist the garment material 25 that is in the location of the head
opening perimeter edge 16 in returning to a dimension that provides
a close, comfortable fit around the neck of the infant 21. In the
circumstance of a fecal blow-out, it may be desirable to remove the
garment 10 by pulling the garment 10 down over the infant's 21
shoulders as opposed to pulling the garment 10 up over the infant's
21 head. In such a situation, the widest part of the infant's 21
body may be the shoulder breadth which is the horizontal distance
between each shoulder from the outside of the shoulder on a first
side 52 of the infant's 21 body to the outside of the shoulder on a
second side 53 of the infant's 21 body when the infant 21 is erect
and the upper arms are at the side of the body. The shoulder
breadth of infants in the zero to twenty-four month age range is at
least about 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 cm, or from about
15 to about 40 cm. In an embodiment, the head opening perimeter
edge 16 of garment 10 may extend to a circumference that will allow
the garment 10 to fit over a shoulder breadth of at least about 40
cm. To provide a close, comfortable fit of garment 10, the head
opening perimeter edge 16 may return to a circumference that will
fit around the neck circumference of the infant 21 after the
stretchable portion 14 has been extended to a dimension to fit over
the shoulder breadth of the infant 21. The neck circumference of
infants in the zero to twenty-four month age range is at least
about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30, or from about
20 to about 30 cm. For example, in an embodiment, the head opening
perimeter edge 16 of garment 10 may extend to a circumference of at
least about 45 cm in order to fit over the shoulders of an infant
21 and may return to a circumference of about 25 cm to fit around
the neck of the infant 21. In an embodiment, the head opening
perimeter edge 16 of garment 10 may elongate at least about 100%
from its initial dimension. In an embodiment, the head opening
perimeter edge 16 may elongate greater than or equal to 140% from
its initial dimension. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14
of garment 10 may elongate at least about 100% from its initial
dimension. In an embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 may
elongate greater than or equal to 150% from its initial
dimension.
[0053] Garment materials 25 do not have the ability to return to
their original lengths after being extended with the final garment
material 25 lengths being somewhat longer than the original
lengths. The stretchable portion 14 can return to its original
length or return to a length that is very close to its original
length after being extended. FIG. 5 illustrates a typical
stress-strain curve, where stress is the load applied, or tension,
and strain is the elongation of the material.
[0054] Percent set 54 refers to the retained elongation in a
material sample based on the increase in the length of a material
sample following the elongation and recovery in a cycle of the
Multi-Cycle Stress/Strain Test described herein.
[0055] Percent set 54 is a relationship between the elongated
material sample length, Le, and the final, recovered material
sample length, Lr, and is expressed as a percentage by the
following equation:
(Lr/Le)*100
[0056] A material that has the ability to return to its original
length after being stretched has a percent set 54 of 0%. In an
embodiment, the stretchable portion 14 may have a percent set 54
that is less than or equal to about 10%. The stretchable portion 14
may have a percent set 54 that is less than about half of the
percent set 54 of the garment material 25. For example, in an
embodiment, the percent set 54 of the stretchable portion 14 may be
8% and the percent set 54 of the garment material 25 may be 16% and
the resulting percent set 54 ratio is 0.5. In a non-limiting
example, as the percent set 54 of the stretchable portion 14
becomes lower and the percent set 54 of the garment material 25
remains constant, the percent set 54 ratio approaches 0. In an
embodiment, the percent set 54 ratio of the stretchable portion 14
to the garment material 25 may be less than about 1.0.
[0057] The materials used in the stretchable portion 14, fit panel
80, and garment material 25 can have a spring constant, k. The
spring constant, k, can characterize the load required to displace
an elastic element a specified distance. The spring constant, k, is
explained by Hooke's law. Hooke's law states that the displacement
or size of the deformation of the elastic element is directly
proportional to the deforming force or load upon the elastic
element. The spring constant, k, is assumed to generally remain
constant as the change in length of the elastic element increases
within the usable range of the materials, that is, the application,
removal and wear of garment 10. Mathematically, Hooke's law states
that the deforming force, F, equals the spring constant, k, of the
elastic element, times the displacement or change in length of the
elastic element, x, and is expressed by the following equation:
F=kx
It is understood that elastic materials do not exhibit perfect
Hookean behavior, but for the purposes of this document, the spring
constant, k, is discussed as it relates to the elongation curve of
the material. Hooke's law may also be expressed in terms of stress
or tension, and strain or elongation. Stress is the force on unit
areas within a material that develops as a result of the externally
applied force. Strain is the relative deformation produced by
stress. For relatively small stresses, stress is proportional to
strain.
[0058] The spring constant, k, of a material is dependent upon the
direction of extension that the material is extended in. In an
embodiment, the garment material 25, the stretchable portion 14,
and the fit panel 80 are constructed in the garment 10 in such a
way that the elongation is oriented to provide the best fit benefit
of garment 10 to the wearer. For example, in an embodiment, the
direction of greatest elongation of stretchable portion 14 is
oriented with the direction of greatest elongation of garment
material 25 as the garment 10 is worn. For example, in an
embodiment, the direction of greatest elongation of fit panel 80 is
oriented at a 90 degree angle from the direction of greatest
elongation of garment material 25 as the garment 10 is worn. The
stretchable portion 14 and the fit panel 80 can have a higher
spring constant, k, than garment material 25. In an embodiment, the
spring constant, ratio of the stretchable portion 14 to the garment
material 25 may be at least about 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,
1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, or 2.0, or from about 1.0 to about 2.0. In an
embodiment, the spring constant ratio of the fit panel 80 to the
garment material 25 may be less than about 1.0.
[0059] FIG. 6 through FIG. 9 show non-limiting examples of the
features described herein. It is to be understood that features can
be interchanged among embodiments. It is to be understood that the
garment 10 is sized appropriately for the intended wearer based on
the definition of the upper body section 12 and the lower body
section 23. In an embodiment, garment 10 could be sized for and
worn by an adult, a child, or an infant.
[0060] An embodiment of garment 10 is shown in the form of a shirt
20 in FIG. 6. The shirt 20 has an upper body section 12, a
stretchable portion 14, a head opening 11, and a head opening
perimeter edge 16. The stretchable portion 14 is included within
the upper body section 12 of the garment 10. The stretchable
portion 14 includes the head opening perimeter edge 16 and extends
an equal length from the head opening perimeter edge 16 across a
width to about the lower edge 42 of the upper body section 12 of
garment 10. An embodiment of garment 10 may also include a sleeve
18 for each of the wearer's arms and a fastening system 69.
[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the garment 10 in the
form of a bottom-enclosed garment 50. Bottom-enclosed garment 50
has an upper body section 12, a stretchable portion 14, a head
opening 11 and a head opening perimeter edge 16. The stretchable
portion 14 is included within the upper body section 12 of garment
10. The stretchable portion 14 includes a portion of the head
opening perimeter edge 16 in the front 13 of garment 10 and extends
an unequal length from the head opening perimeter edge 16 across a
width to about the lower edge 42 of the upper body section 12 of
garment 10. The bottom-enclosed garment 50 may be applied to the
infant 21 by first inserting the infant's feet into the head
opening 11, pulling the bottom-enclosed garment 50 over the
infant's legs and body, and then placing the head opening perimeter
edge 16 around the infant's neck. In an embodiment, the
bottom-enclosed garment 50 may, but need not have leg openings 17,
arm openings 68, sleeves 18 or a fastening system 69.
[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the garment 10 in the
form of a one-piece garment 60. The one-piece garment 60 has an
upper body section 12. The upper body section 12 includes a
stretchable portion 14, a head opening 11, and a head opening
perimeter edge 16. The stretchable portion 14 includes the head
opening perimeter edge 16 and extends an equal length from the head
opening perimeter edge 16 across a width within the upper body
section 12 of garment 10. One-piece garment 60 also has a lower
body section 23 and a central body section 29 connecting the upper
body section 12 to the lower body section 23. A stretchable portion
14 and a fit panel 80 are shown in the lower body section 23 of
one-piece garment 60. The stretchable portion 14 in the tail 70 in
the front 13 of one-piece garment 60 extends a varying length
across a width within the given area and shape of the stretchable
portion 14. The fit panel 80 in the tail 70 in the back 15 of
one-piece garment 60 extends an equal length across a width within
the given area and shape of the fit panel 80. A fastening system 69
is shown in each the upper body section 12 and the lower body
section 23 of one-piece garment 60. An embodiment of garment 10 may
also include an arm opening 68 for each of the wearer's arms and a
sleeve 18 for each of the wearer's arms.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 8, the fastening system 69 is shown on the
tail 70 on the back 15 of the garment 10 as three snaps. The tail
70 on the front 13 of the garment 10 contains the fastening mating
components to the snaps of fastening system 69. In an embodiment,
the fastening system 69 can be aligned to correspond directly
across from each other on the tails 70 of the front 13 and the back
15 of the one-piece garment 60 as shown in FIG. 8. The fastening
system 69 could also be applied to the one-piece garment 60 in such
a way that there could be one fastening component and multiple sets
of mating fastening components at different locations. Without
being bound by theory, the multiple mating fastening components can
allow the parent or caregiver to choose the closure combination
that provides for good fit on the wearer.
[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the garment 10 in the
form of a one-piece garment 60. The one-piece garment 60 has an
upper body section 12. The upper body section 12 includes a
stretchable portion 14, a head opening 11, and a head opening
perimeter edge 16. The stretchable portion 14 includes the head
opening perimeter edge 16 and extends an equal length from the head
opening perimeter edge 16 across a width within the upper body
section 12 of garment 10. An embodiment of the one-piece garment 60
may also include a sleeve 18 for each of the wearer's arms.
One-piece garment 60 also has a lower body section 23 and a central
body section 29 connecting the upper body section 12 to the lower
body section 23. The lower body section 23 contains tails 70 in
both the front 13 and back 15 of the lower body section 23. The
tails 70 are shown in a closed configuration and a closure is
formed with fastening system 69 to form leg openings 17 for each of
the wearer's legs. Lower body section 23 of garment 60 also
contains a fit panel 80 in the tail 70 of the back 15 of the lower
body section 23. The fit panel 80 in the tail 70 in the back 15 of
the one-piece garment 60 extends an equal length across a width
within the given area and shape of the fit panel 80.
Multi-Cycle Stress/Strain Test
[0065] The Multi-cycle Stress/Strain Test is a one-cycle elongation
and recovery test used to measure the elongation and recovery
characteristics of elastic and extensible raw materials and elastic
and extensible composites.
[0066] The test measures load values of a test sample placed under
a particular amount of strain. The load values are determined
during both the elongation and recovery phase of the test.
Sample Preparation
[0067] Six samples of the test specimen should be subjected to the
Multi-cycle Stress/Strain Test and the results for each set of the
samples should be averaged. Care should be taken to avoid extending
the materials during the process of sample preparation. The
materials are allowed to equilibrate overnight according to the
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) at 50%
relative humidity and 23.degree. C. The samples of the garment
material 25, the stretchable portion 14 material, and the fit panel
80 material are cut into strips that are 76 mm.+-.1 mm in the
least-extensible direction, or cross direction of the material, and
by 152 mm.+-.1 mm in the most-extensible direction, or machine
direction of the material. The least-extensible direction of the
sample is at a 90 degree angle from the most-extensible direction
relative to the cross direction and the machine direction of the
materials. The garment material 25 is also tested to measure
elongation in the direction of least-extension, or the cross
direction. In this circumstance, the garment material 25 is cut
into strips that are 76 mm.+-.1 mm in the most-extensible
direction, or machine direction of the material, and by 152 mm.+-.1
mm in the least-extensible direction, or cross direction of the
material.
Test Apparatus and Materials
[0068] The following test apparatus and materials are used to
conduct the Multi-cycle Stress/Strain Test:
[0069] 1) Constant Rate of Extension (CRE) tensile tester: MTS
tensile tester model SYNERGIE 200, (available from MTS Systems
Corporation, Eden Prairie, Minn.).
[0070] 2) Load cells: a suitable cell selected so that the majority
of the peak load values fall between the manufacturer's recommended
ranges of the load cell's full scale value. A load cell model 100N
available from MTS Systems Corporation can be used.
[0071] 3) Operating software and data acquisition system: MTS
TESTWORKS for WINDOWS software version 4, available from MTS
Systems Corporation.
[0072] 4) Grips: pneumatic-action grips, top and bottom, identified
as part number 2712-003 available from Instron Corporation, Canton,
Mass.
[0073] 5) Grip faces: 25.4 mm by 76.2 mm faces, rubberized top and
bottom, Instron part number S1-12465, available from Instron
Corporation.
Test Conditions
[0074] The instruments used should be calibrated as described in
the manufacturer's instructions for each instrument. The tensile
tester conditions are as follows: [0075] Gauge separation: 102
mm.+-.1 mm [0076] Crosshead speed: 508 mm/minute [0077] Cycle
elongation: 80% [0078] Number of cycles: One
Test Method
[0079] Using the tensile frame controls for crosshead position,
move the grips to provide a gauge separation (distance between the
grips) of 102 mm. Set the crosshead position to zero at this gauge.
Place the sample to be tested lengthwise so that it is centered
between the grips, held in a centered position within each grip,
and oriented with the long edges of the sample perpendicular to the
grip faces. Close the upper grips on the sample, and then close the
lower grips on the sample. Position the sample in such a way as to
minimize slack in the sample without placing the sample under
tension.
[0080] Ensure that the load at this point is less than 10 grams
force. If the load is greater than 10 grams-force, release the
lower grip and zero the load cell. Re-close the lower grip, again
ensuring that the sample is neither under tension nor buckled with
excessive slack. Continue checking the starting load and following
the above procedure until the starting load is within the desired
range.
[0081] Run the one cycle test using the above parameters. Save the
data to a sample file when the test is complete. Remove the sample
from the grips. Run the above procedures for the remaining samples
of a given specimen. The data for all samples of a given specimen
should each be saved to a single file.
[0082] Report the data for each sample as follows: load values in
grams-force at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%
elongation. The load values are normalized to a sample having a
width of 1 inch. [0083] End of test method.
[0084] In the interests of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of
values set forth in this disclosure contemplate all values within
the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting
any sub-ranges having endpoints which are whole number values
within the specified range in question. By way of hypothetical
example, a disclosure of a range of from 1 to 5 shall be considered
to support claims to any of the following ranges: 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1
to 3; 1 to 2; 2 to 5; 2 to 4; 2 to 3; 3 to 5; 3 to 4; and 4 to
5.
[0085] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0086] All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in
relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of
any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is
prior art with respect to the present disclosure. To the extent
that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document
incorporated by references, the meaning or definition assigned to
the term in this written document shall govern.
[0087] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various other changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is
therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes
and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.
* * * * *