U.S. patent application number 14/285751 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for garment parts, garment incorporating such a garment part and method of manufacturing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Clover Mystique Co. Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Clover Mystique Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kwan Yin YIP.
Application Number | 20140357157 14/285751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51985631 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140357157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YIP; Kwan Yin |
December 4, 2014 |
Garment Parts, Garment Incorporating Such A Garment Part And Method
Of Manufacturing Same
Abstract
A brassiere pad (100) is disclosed which includes an outer layer
(102) and an inner layer (104) fixedly engaged with each other. The
outer layer and the inner layer are separate from each other at or
along at least one peripheral portion.
Inventors: |
YIP; Kwan Yin; (Kowloon,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clover Mystique Co. Ltd. |
Kowloon |
|
HK |
|
|
Assignee: |
Clover Mystique Co. Ltd.
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
51985631 |
Appl. No.: |
14/285751 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13907299 |
May 31, 2013 |
|
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14285751 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
450/57 ; 2/243.1;
450/1; 450/41; 450/86; 450/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/14 20130101; A41C
5/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
450/57 ; 2/243.1;
450/86; 450/41; 450/1; 450/92 |
International
Class: |
A41C 3/14 20060101
A41C003/14; A41C 5/00 20060101 A41C005/00 |
Claims
1. A garment part comprising a first garment part layer and a
second garment part layer fixedly engaged with each other, wherein
said first garment part layer and said second garment part layer
are separate from each other at or along at least one peripheral
portion thereof.
2. The garment part of claim 1 wherein said first garment part
layer includes a first fabric layer and a first foam layer and said
second garment part layer includes a second fabric layer and a
second foam layer.
3. The garment part of claim 2 wherein at least part of said first
foam layer of said first garment part layer and at least part of
said second foam layer of said second garment part layer are
fixedly engaged with and in contact with each other.
4. The garment part of claim 1 wherein said garment part comprises
a brassiere pad.
5. The garment including at least a garment part according to claim
1 fixedly engaged with at least one garment component.
6. The garment according to claim 5 wherein at least part of said
garment component is received between said first garment part layer
and said second garment part layer at or along said peripheral
portion.
7. The garment according to claim 6 wherein at least part of said
garment component is received between said first foam layer of said
first garment part layer and said second foam layer of said second
garment part layer at or along said peripheral portion.
8. The garment according to claim 4 wherein said at least one
garment component includes at least one of a shoulder strap, a gore
member, a wing member or a wire member.
9. The garment according to claim 8 wherein said wing member is a
single-layer wing member or a multi-layer wing panel.
10. The garment according to claim 8 wherein said wire member is
encased within a wire casing.
11. The garment according to claim 5 wherein said garment is a
brassiere, lingerie, sports bra or control garment.
12. A method of manufacturing a garment part, comprising the steps
of: (a) providing a first garment part layer and a second garment
part layer, and (b) fixedly engaging said first garment part layer
with said second garment part layer and forming at least one
opening at or along a peripheral portion thereof.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said first garment
part layer includes a first fabric layer and a first foam layer and
said second garment part layer includes a second fabric layer and a
second foam layer, and wherein at least part of said first foam
layer of said first garment part layer and at least part of said
second foam layer of said second garment part layer are fixedly
engaged with and in contact with each other.
14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said garment part
comprises a brassiere pad.
15. A method of manufacturing a garment, comprising the steps of:
(c) manufacturing a garment part according to claim 12, (d)
providing a garment component, and (e) positioning and fixedly
engaging at least part of said garment component in said opening
between said first garment part layer and said second garment part
layer.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein, in said step (e),
said at least part of said garment component is fixedly engaged
with and sandwiched between a first foam layer of said first
garment part and a second foam layer of said second garment
part.
17. The method according to claim 15 wherein, in said step (e),
said at least part of said garment component is fixedly engaged
with and between said first garment part layer and said second
garment part layer along said peripheral portion by stitching, heat
lamination, adhesion or a combination thereof.
18. The method according to claim 15 wherein said at least one
garment component includes at least one of a shoulder strap, a gore
member, a wing member or a wire member.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said garment part
includes at least a first, second, third and fourth openings,
further comprising the steps of: (f) positioning and fixedly
engaging at least part of a shoulder strap in said first opening,
(g) positioning and fixedly engaging at least part of a gore member
in said second opening, (h) positioning and fixedly engaging at
least part of a wing member in said third opening, and (i)
positioning and fixedly engaging at least part of a wire member in
said fourth opening.
20. The method according to claim 15 wherein said garment comprises
a brassiere, lingerie, sports bra or control garment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/907,299 filed on 31 May 2013, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a garment part, such as (but not
limited to) a brassiere pad, a garment incorporating at least one
such garment part, and a method of manufacturing such garment part
and garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional brassieres usually incorporate normal wire
casing or wire channel attached to a brassiere pad. Such are
invariably visible, affecting both the appearance of the brassiere
garment and comfort to the wearer. In addition, several other
garment parts (such as shoulder straps, gore and wing panels) are
also attached to the pad via an overlapped or back-out structure.
It is found in practice that the seams are thick and the surfaces
are not smooth. The raised edges at or adjacent the connection
points further negatively affect the comfort of the wearer.
[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
garment part, a garment incorporating at least one such garment
part, a method of manufacturing the garment part, and a method of
manufacturing the garment in which the aforesaid shortcomings are
mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade
and public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a garment part including a first garment part layer and
a second garment part layer fixedly engaged with each other,
wherein said first garment part layer and said second garment part
layer are separate from each other at or along at least one
peripheral portion thereof.
[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a garment including at least a garment part fixedly
engaged with at least one garment component, wherein said garment
part includes a first garment part layer and a second garment part
layer fixedly engaged with each other, wherein said first garment
part layer and said second garment part layer are separate from
each other at or along at least one peripheral portion thereof.
[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of manufacturing a garment part, including
steps (a) providing a first garment part layer and a second garment
part layer, and (b) fixedly engaging said first garment part layer
with said second garment part layer and forming at least one
opening at or along a peripheral portion thereof.
[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of manufacturing a garment, including steps
(a) providing a first garment part layer and a second garment part
layer, (b) fixedly engaging said first garment part layer with said
second garment part layer and forming at least one opening at or
along a peripheral portion thereof, (d) providing a garment
component, and (e) positioning and fixedly engaging at least part
of said garment component in said opening between said first
garment part layer and said second garment part layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1A is a partial front view of a prior art brassiere
incorporating a conventional brassiere pad;
[0011] FIG. 1B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a partial back view of the brassiere shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 2A;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the
brassiere shown in FIG. 1A, with a piece of cup outer fabric;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a partial front view of a further prior art
brassiere incorporating another conventional brassiere pad;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 4A;
[0017] FIG. 5A is a partial back view of the brassiere shown in
FIG. 4A;
[0018] FIG. 5B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 5A;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the
brassiere shown in FIG. 4A, with a piece of cup outer fabric;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front view of a brassiere pad according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the brassiere pad shown in
FIG. 7, showing two openings;
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a first layer of precursor material and a
second layer of precursor material for making the brassiere pad
shown in FIG. 7;
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a first method of manufacturing the brassiere
pad shown in FIG. 7 by firstly molding the first layer of the
precursor material;
[0024] FIG. 11 shows molding of the second layer the of precursor
material;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the two layers of precursor
material after molding;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the first layer of precursor
material applied with a layer of adhesive material;
[0027] FIG. 14 shows lamination of the two molded first and second
layers of precursor material;
[0028] FIG. 15 shows a second method of manufacturing the brassiere
pad shown in FIG. 7 by firstly providing a fabric layer between the
first layer of precursor material and the second layer of precursor
material, and applying a layer of adhesive material on the second
layer of precursor material;
[0029] FIG. 16 shows pressing of the first and second layers of
precursor material shown in FIG. 15 to form a laminated layer;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the laminated layer after
pressing in FIG. 14 or FIG. 16;
[0031] FIG. 18 shows a brassiere pad cut out from the laminated
layer shown in FIG. 17;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a front view of a brassiere formed of two
brassiere pads according to the present invention and shown in FIG.
7;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a back view of the brassiere shown in FIG.
19;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tape for use as a
shoulder strap in a brassiere according to the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 22A is a semi-finished double-layered wing panel for
use in a brassiere according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22B is a semi-finished single-layered wing panel for
use in a brassiere according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a wire casing with a wire for use in a brassiere
according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 24A is a partial front view of a brassiere according to
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 24B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 24A;
[0040] FIG. 25A is a partial back view of the brassiere shown in
FIG. 24A;
[0041] FIG. 25B is a further view of a part of the brassiere shown
in FIG. 25A; and
[0042] FIG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the
brassiere shown in FIG. 24A, with a piece of cup outer fabric.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1A to 3, these figures show
various partial views of a first conventional brassiere 10 with a
conventional brassiere pad 12, a shoulder strap 14, a gore 16, a
wing panel 18, and a wire casing 20. As shown more clearly in FIG.
3, the wing panel 18, the shoulder strap 14, the wire casing 20 and
the gore 16 (though not shown in FIG. 3) are all attached (e.g. by
stitching or heat lamination) to an inner side of the brassiere pad
12. A piece of cup outer fabric 22 is attached to an outer surface
of the brassiere pad 12 and secured on one side between the
brassiere pad 12 and the wing panel 18 and on another side between
the brassiere pad 12 and the shoulder strap 14. As shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B, a raised edge 24 of the brassiere pad 12 over the
shoulder strap 14 and a raised edge 26 of the brassiere pad 12 over
the wing panel 18 may show on an outer garment worn over the
brassiere 10 and thus affect the appearance of the outer garment.
On the other hand, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a raised edge
28 of the shoulder strap 14 and a raised edge 30 of the wire casing
20 will bring discomfort to the wearer.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 4A to 6, these figures show various
partial views of a second convention brassiere 50 with another
conventional brassiere pad 52, a shoulder strap 54, a gore 56, a
wing panel 58, and a wire 60 encased within the brassiere pad 52.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the wing panel 58, the shoulder
strap 54 and the gore 56 (though not shown in FIG. 6) are all
attached (e.g. by stitching or heat lamination) to an inner side of
the brassiere pad 52. A piece of cup outer fabric 62 is attached to
an outer surface of the brassiere pad 52 and secured on one side
within a over-turned end of the wing panel 58 and on another side
between the brassiere pad 52 and the shoulder strap 54. As shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4B, a raised edge 64 of the brassiere pad 52 over the
shoulder strap 54 and a raised edge 66 of the brassiere pad 52 over
the wing panel 58 may show on an outer garment worn over the
brassiere 50 and thus affect the appearance of the outer garment.
On the other hand, and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a step 66 of
the shoulder strap 54 over the brassiere pad 52 and a step 68 of
the wing panel 58 will bring discomfort to the wearer.
[0045] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a brassiere pad according to an
embodiment of the present invention, generally designated as 100.
The brassiere pad 100 includes an outer layer 102 and an inner
layer 104 fixedly engaged with each other, except along a first
peripheral portion 106 and a second peripheral portion 108 at which
the outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104 are separate from each
other to form two openings.
[0046] The outer layer 102 is made from a first layer of precursor
material 110; and the inner layer 104 is made from a second layer
of precursor material 112, both shown in FIG. 9. The first layer of
precursor material 110 is made of a piece of fabric material 114
and a piece of foam material 116 laminated together by an adhesive
and/or heat lamination. Similarly, the second layer of precursor
material 112 is made of a piece of fabric material 118 and a piece
of foam material 120 laminated together by an adhesive and/or heat
lamination.
[0047] FIGS. 10 to 14 show a first method of manufacturing the
brassiere pad 100 according to the present invention from the first
layer of precursor material 110 and the second layer of precursor
material 112. According to this method, and as shown in FIG. 10,
the first layer of precursor material 110 is placed between an
upper mold half 122 and a lower mold half 124, with the piece of
fabric material 114 facing the upper mold half 122 and the piece of
foam material 116 facing the lower mold half 124. The two mold
halves 122, 124 are then brought towards each other to mold the
first layer of precursor material 110 (by pressure and preferably
by heat as well) into a cup shape, as shown in FIG. 12.
[0048] Similarly, and as shown in FIG. 11, the second layer of
precursor material 112 is placed between the upper mold half 122
and the lower mold half 124, with the piece of fabric material 118
facing the lower mold half 124 and the piece of foam material 120
facing the upper mold half 122. The two mold halves 122, 124 are
then brought towards each other to mold the second layer of
precursor material 112 (by pressure and preferably by heat as well)
into a cup shape, as shown in FIG. 12.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 13, an adhesive material 126 is applied to
part of the exposed major surface of the piece of foam material 116
of the first layer of precursor material 110 after molding. As
shown in FIG. 14, the molded first layer of precursor material 110
(with the adhesive material 126) and the molded second layer of
precursor material 112 are then placed between the upper mold half
122 and the lower mold half 124 with the respective pieces of foam
material 116, 120 directly facing each other. At least a layer of
fabric material 128 is positioned between the molded first layer of
precursor material 110 and the molded second layer of precursor
material 112. The two mold halves 122, 124 are then brought towards
each other to laminate the molded first layer of precursor material
110 and the molded second layer of precursor material 112 (by
pressure and preferably by heat as well) to form laminated layers
130 as shown in FIG. 17, with at least one (such as two)
delaminated area 132. Although this method has been discussed in
the context in which an adhesive material 126 is applied to part of
the exposed major surface of the piece of foam material 116 of the
first layer of precursor material 110 after molding, it is equally
possible to apply an adhesive material to part of the exposed major
surface of the piece of foam material 120 of the second layer of
precursor material 112 after molding.
[0050] As an alternative to the method discussed above and
illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14, it is possible, and as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16, to position the first layer of precursor material
110 above the second layer of precursor material 112, with at least
a layer of fabric material 134 there-between. An adhesive material
126 is applied to part of the exposed major surface of the piece of
foam material of the second layer of precursor material 112. The
first layer of precursor material 110 and the second layer of
precursor material 112 are then engaged with each other and placed
between the two mold halves 122, 124. The two mold halves 122, 124
are then brought towards each other to laminate the first layer of
precursor material 110 and the second layer of precursor material
112 (by pressure and preferably by heat as well) to form laminated
layers 130 as shown in FIG. 17, with at least one (such as two)
delaminated area 132. Again, it is envisaged that an adhesive
material may be applied to part of the exposed major surface of the
piece of foam material 116 of the first layer of precursor material
110.
[0051] Two brassiere pads 100 (of which one is shown in FIG. 18)
are cut out from the laminated layers 130, in which the first layer
of precursor material 110 and the second layer of precursor
material 112 are fixedly engaged with each other, except along the
first peripheral portion 106 and the second peripheral portion 108
at which the outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104 are separate
from each other to form two openings.
[0052] FIGS. 19 and 20 show, respectively, a front view and a rear
view of a brassiere (generally designated as 135) incorporating two
of the brassiere pads 100 according to this invention. Various
brassiere components may be attached (e.g. by stitching or heat
lamination) to the brassiere pads 100 to form the brassiere 135.
FIG. 21 shows a shoulder strap 136 which may be fixedly engaged
with and sandwiched at the open first peripheral portion 106
between the outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104. A
double-layered wing panel 138a (as shown in FIG. 22A) with an
elastic band 140a may be fixedly engaged with and sandwiched at
another open peripheral portion between the outer layer 102 and the
inner layer 104. Of course, as an alternative, a single-layered
wing panel 138b (as shown in FIG. 22B) with an elastic band 140b
may be fixedly engaged with and sandwiched at another open
peripheral portion between the outer layer 102 and the inner layer
104. Turning to FIG. 23, a wire casing 142 inserted with a wire may
be fixedly engaged with and sandwiched at the open second
peripheral portion 108 between the outer layer 102 and the inner
layer 104. The thickness of the wire casing 142 is around 1.2 mm to
2.5 mm.
[0053] FIGS. 24A to 26 show various views of the brassiere 135
incorporating the brassiere pad 100 according to the present
invention. It can be seen that:
[0054] (a) the wing panel 138a/138b is fixedly engaged with the
brassiere pad 100 at 152 by being sandwiched between the outer
layer 102 and the inner layer 104 of the brassiere pad 100;
[0055] (b) the shoulder strap 136 is fixedly engaged with the
brassiere pad 100 at 154 by being sandwiched between the outer
layer 102 and the inner layer 104 of the brassiere pad 100;
[0056] (c) the wire casing 142 is fixedly engaged with the
brassiere pad 100 by being sandwiched between the outer layer 102
and the inner layer 104 of the brassiere pad 100; and
[0057] (d) a gore 146 is fixedly engaged with the brassiere pad 100
by being sandwiched between the outer layer 102 and the inner layer
104 of the brassiere pad 100.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 26, a piece of cup outer fabric 148 is
attached to an outer surface of the brassiere pad 100 and secured
on one side between the outer layer of the brassiere pad 100 and
the wing panel 138a/138b and on another side between the brassiere
pad 100 and the shoulder strap 136.
[0059] After prolong use of the conventional brassieres, the wire
can cause pressure, possible indentations around the bust root and
pain to the wearers. However, in a brassiere 135 according to the
present invention, the wire casing 142 is enclosed within the
brassiere pad 100, thus reducing the pressure and enhancing comfort
to the wearers. In addition, although both a conventional
encased-wire brassiere and the brassiere 135 according to the
present invention include encased wire construction, their wire
placements are different. For a conventional encased-wire
brassiere, the distance between the wire and the edge of the
brassiere pad is around 8 mm to 12 mm, whereas for the brassiere
135 according to the present invention, the wire can be placed such
that it follows closely the edge of the brassiere pad 100 like in
traditional brassieres. The brassiere pad 100 of the present
invention can touch the wearer's breast and provide more comfort to
the wearer.
[0060] It should be understood that the above only illustrates
examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that
various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example,
although the invention has thus far been described in the context
in which a garment incorporating such a garment part is a
brassiere, it is envisaged that the garment may be lingerie, sports
bra or control garments.
[0061] It should also be understood that certain features of the
invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of
separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any appropriate
sub-combinations.
* * * * *