U.S. patent application number 14/503519 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for shaping garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Destination Maternity Corporation. Invention is credited to Lisa A. Hendrickson.
Application Number | 20160015088 14/503519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55073435 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160015088 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hendrickson; Lisa A. |
January 21, 2016 |
SHAPING GARMENT
Abstract
Garments that can be worn during early stages of pregnancy and
postpartum are disclosed. The garments shape or contour the stomach
or abdomen regions of the wearer to give the abdomen a smoother and
slimmer appearance. The garments comprise at least one shaper
stitch region that is adapted to apply a compressive force to the
wearer's abdomen to shape the stomach or abdomen regions of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Hendrickson; Lisa A.; (Mount
Laurel, NJ) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Destination Maternity Corporation |
Philadelphia |
PA |
US |
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Family ID: |
55073435 |
Appl. No.: |
14/503519 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14332677 |
Jul 16, 2014 |
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14503519 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
450/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/21 20180101; A41C
1/08 20130101; A41C 1/06 20130101; A41D 2400/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41C 1/08 20060101
A41C001/08; A41C 1/06 20060101 A41C001/06 |
Claims
1. A garment, comprising: (a) an upper garment portion configured
to encircle a wearer's torso, (b) a lower garment portion connected
to the upper garment portion configured to encircle a portion of
the wearer's body below the wearer's waist; and (c) at least one
shaper stitch region included in at least a portion of the upper
garment portion, wherein the shaper stitch region is configured to
apply a compressive force to the wearer's abdomen when the garment
is worn and the shaper stitch region extends between a wearer's
inframammary line and to a height below the wearer's waist.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shaper stitch region applies
a uniform compressive force to a wearer's abdomen when the garment
is worn.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shaper stitch region
comprises a material having a uniform modulus of elasticity.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises at least
one of a jersey knitted and interlock knitted material.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises at least
one of a nylon, spandex and polyester material.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is seamless.
7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is tubular.
8. The garment of claim 1, the lower garment portion has a greater
circumference than the upper garment portion.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shaper stitch region
comprises at least one of rib stitching or jersey knitting.
10. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lower
garment portion is configured to cover the waistband of the
wearer's bottoms.
11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shaper stitch region
extends from the inframammary line to a height in proximity to the
wearer's upper pelvis.
12. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shaper stitch region
extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the upper
garment portion.
13. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower garment portion is
seamlessly connected to the upper garment portion.
14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower garment portion has a
lowermost edge portion configured to reside in proximity to the
wearer's hips.
15. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower garment portion is
configured to apply less compressive force to the wearer's body
than the compressive force applied by the shaper stitch region of
the upper garment portion.
16. The garment of claim 1, wherein an uppermost edge portion of
the garment is configured to reside in proximity to a wearer's
inframammary line.
17. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a breast covering
portion extending over the wearer's breasts.
18. The garment of claim 17, further comprising a support channel
extending along the wearer's inframammary line for supporting the
wearer's breast.
19. The garment of claim 17, further comprising shoulder straps.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a shaping garment that may be
worn during early stages of pregnancy, postpartum and other times
to shape and contour a wearer's body.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Shaping garments intended to support and shape a wearer's
abdomen or belly region have been manufactured from knits or woven
fabrics. Some of the knits or woven fabric garments are constructed
with an elastic belt or waist band which causes discomfort when
tightened about the body. Some of the garments have stretchable
fabric panels sewn into place with seams which cause discomfort
when elastic stretching of the panels presses the seams against the
wearer's torso. Moreover, women have complained that such garments
are difficult to keep in place, as they gradually slip downward
while they are being worn.
[0003] Accordingly, a need exists for a garment that supports and
shapes the abdomen during early stages of pregnancy and postpartum.
More particularly, a need exists for a garment that shapes the
contours of the abdomen to give the body a smoother and slimmer
appearance and desirably would fit comfortably while being
worn.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure provides a garment that includes an
upper garment portion configured to encircle a wearer's torso with
an uppermost edge portion configured to reside in proximity to the
wearer's inframammary line. The upper garment portion may be
seamlessly connected to a lower garment portion that is configured
to encircle a portion of the wearer's body below the wearer's
waist. The garment may include at least one shaper stitch region
adapted to apply a compressive force to the wearer's abdomen when
the garment is worn by the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary garment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the exemplary garment depicted in
FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a crotch area of the exemplary
garment depicted in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative exemplary
garment.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the alternative exemplary garment
depicted in FIG. 4.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front view of a further alternative exemplary
garment.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the further alternative exemplary
garment depicted in FIG. 6.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a front view of yet another alternative exemplary
garment.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternative exemplary garment
depicted in FIG. 8.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a front view of yet another exemplary
garment.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a front view of the exemplary garment depicted in
FIG. 10 on a wearer's body.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a front view of yet another exemplary
garment.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the exemplary garment depicted in
FIG. 12.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a front view of a further exemplary garment.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a rear view of the exemplary garment depicted in
FIG. 14.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a front view of yet another exemplary
garment.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the exemplary garment depicted in
FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] It will be appreciated that the following description is
intended to refer to specific examples of structure selected for
illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or limit
the disclosure, other than in the appended claims.
[0023] Garments of this disclosure can be worn during early stages
of pregnancy and postpartum and are comfortable for the wearer. The
garments are suitable for shaping or contouring the stomach or
abdomen region of the wearer to give the abdomen a smoother and
slimmer appearance. To contour or shape the abdomen, the garments
of this disclosure may apply a compressive force on the wearer's
abdomen, particularly in regions desiring shaping or
contouring.
[0024] Turning now to the figures, an exemplary shaping garment 1
is depicted by various views in FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the garment 1 has a front side 2 and back side 4 and
comprises an upper garment portion 6 connected to a lower garment
portion 8.
[0025] The upper garment portion 6 may generally be tubular and
configured to encircle a wearer's torso. As shown in FIG. 1, the
upper garment portion 6 of the front side 2 is configured to extend
from a position along the left lateral side of the wearer's abdomen
across a front side of the wearer's abdomen to a position along the
right lateral side of the wearer's abdomen. Likewise, as shown in
FIG. 2, the upper garment portion 6 of the back side 4 is
configured to extend from a position along the left lateral side of
the wearer's abdomen across a back side of the wearer's abdomen to
a position along the right lateral side of the wearer's abdomen.
Optionally, the upper garment portion 6 may be seamless along the
right and left lateral sides of the front side 2 and back side
4.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper garment portion 6 may
be configured to extend over a substantial portion of the wearer's
abdomen such that an uppermost edge portion 12 of the upper garment
portion 6 on the front side 2 of the garment 1 may reside in
proximity to a wearer's inframammary line when the garment 1 is
worn by the wearer. The uppermost edge portion 12 of the upper
garment portion 6 on the back side 4 of the garment 1 may reside
along a substantially parallel line at a position along the back
side of the wearer's torso.
[0027] As referred to herein, "in proximity to the wearer's
inframammary line" generally refers to an anatomical region at or
near the inframammary line of the wearer. An inframammary line is a
natural boundary below a wearer's breasts where the underside of
the wearer's breasts and the chest wall meet. A region in proximity
to the wearer's inframammary line may be above a midline between an
inframammary line and a transpyloric plane of the wearer when the
garment is worn.
[0028] For contouring or shaping the abdomen, the garment 1 of
FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises at least one shaper stitch region 14. As
used herein, "shaper stitch region" refers to a region of a garment
or garment material having a modulus of elasticity in at least one
direction such that an elastic resistance of the material is
configured to apply a compressive force to at least a portion of
the wearer's body when a fitted garment is worn by a wearer. For
example, the modulus of elasticity of garment material in a
horizontal direction may be greater in a shaper stitch region 14
such that a greater amount of force is required to stretch the
material to a certain length in a horizontal direction than is
required to stretch material in another region of the garment or
garment material to which shaper stitching has not been applied to
the same length.
[0029] Optionally, the modulus of elasticity of the material
composing the shaper stitch region 14 may be substantially uniform,
although different areas of the shaper stitch region 14 may exhibit
different moduli of elasticity. As a result, the shaper stitch
region 14 may be adapted to apply a uniform compressive force to
the wearer's entire abdomen or different compression to various
areas of the wearer's abdomen when the garment 1 is worn. Moreover,
a garment may have multiple shaper stitch regions 14, each having
similar or varying moduli of elasticity such that the garment
comprises a plurality of portions configured to apply targeted
compressive forces to the wearer's abdomen when the garment is
worn.
[0030] In contrast to the shaper stitch region 14, one or more
regions of the garment 1 or garment material to which shaper
stitching has not been applied may be expansible to accommodate
portions the wearer's body. As a result, those area(s) that do not
include shaper stitching may not apply a substantial compressive
force to shape the wearer's body. Shaper stitch regions 14 and
regions of the garment or garment material to which shaper
stitching has not been applied may be seamlessly connected and may
or may not be visually distinguishable. Further, the entire garment
1 may be formed of a single piece of material to which shaper
stitching is applied.
[0031] One or more shaper stitch regions 14 may be disposed in
selectively located regions of garment 1 such that, when the
garment 1 is worn, the shaper stitch regions 14 are adapted to
cover and apply a compressive force to selected areas of the
wearer's body to provide shaping or contouring. FIGS. 1 and 2 and
illustrate an exemplary arrangement of a shaper stitch region 14 on
the garment 1 for shaping or contouring areas of the wearer's
abdomen.
[0032] As seen in FIG. 1, at least a portion of a shaper stitch
region 14 is disposed on the front side 2 of the upper garment
portion 6. As shown, at least a portion of the shaper stitch region
14 may be configured to extend from a position along the left
lateral side of the wearer's abdomen across a front side of the
wearer's abdomen to a position along the right lateral side of the
wearer's abdomen. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 2, at least a
portion of the shaper stitch region 14 may be configured to extend
from a position along the left lateral side of the wearer's abdomen
across a back side of the wearer's abdomen to a position along the
right lateral side of the wearer's abdomen.
[0033] As best seen by comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, which
respectively show views the front side 2 and back side 4 of the
garment 1, a portion of the shaper stitch region 14 extending
across the front side of the wearer's abdomen on the front side 2
and a portion of the shaper stitch region 14 extending across the
back side of the wearer's abdomen on the back side 4 of the garment
1 may be continuous so as to form at least one circumferential
portion 18 extending circumferentially around the upper garment
portion 6. The circumferential portion 18 of shaper stitch region
14 may circumferentially apply a compressive force 360.degree.
around the wearer's abdomen to provide 360.degree. of contouring
and shaping. This circumferential portion 18 may abut and extend
downwards from the uppermost edge portion 12.
[0034] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the front side 2 of the
garment may further include a non-circumferential portion 20 of the
shaper stitch region 14 that extends less than 360.degree. around
the wearer. As shown in FIG. 1, the non-circumferential portion 20
of the shaper stitch region 14 on the front side 2 of the garment 1
extends downward from the circumferential portion 18 of the shaper
stitch region 14 towards a frontal crotch area 16 of the garment 1.
The non-circumferential portion 20 of the shaper stitch region 14
shown in FIG. 1 may be adapted to reside over the region proximal
to a wearer's frontal pelvic area (or lower abdomen) when the
garment is worn such that it forms a pelvis covering portion 22 of
the shaper stitch region 14. As shown, the pelvis covering portion
22 of the shaper stitch region 14 is configured to extend over the
wearer's frontal pelvic area between lines where the wearer's legs
meet the pelvis (i.e., between groin lines) and downwards to the
frontal crotch area 16 of the garment 1. Accordingly, a width of
the pelvis covering portion 22 of the shaper stitch region 14 may
optionally narrow as it extends downwards and approaches the
frontal crotch portion 16 of the garment so that the pelvis
covering portion 22 may have a shape similar to an inverted
triangle.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 2, a shaper stitch region 14 on the
back side 4 of the garment 1 may abut the uppermost edge portion 12
and extend downward to an area at or near an upper perimeter of the
wearer's buttocks 24 region when the garment is worn. Notably, it
is not necessary for the shaper region 14 to cover the wearer's
buttocks or cover the wearer's legs. However, if desired, one or
more shaper stitch regions 14 may extend over or be applied to
portions of the garment that cover the wearer' buttocks and/or
legs. If included, such shaper stitch regions 14 may be separate
from or continuous with a shaper stitch region 14 extending over
the upper garment portion 6 of the garment 1.
[0036] While not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be appreciated
that either or both of the front side 2 or back side 4 of the
garment 1 may comprise one or more additional non-circumferential
portions 20 of the shaper stitch region 14 which may be separate
from or continuous with the circumferential portion 18 of the
shaper stitch region 14.
[0037] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower garment portion
8 is shown in connection with the upper garment portion 6. As noted
above, the garment 1 may comprise a single piece of fabric or it
may be formed of multiple fabric pieces. The lower garment portion
8 may comprise at least one, and in this example, two leg portions
10 each configured to encircle and cover at least a portion of one
of a wearer's legs. The length of the leg portions 10 may be
configured as desired to provide various leg coverage. For example,
the leg portions 10 may be generally tubular and configured such
that the lowermost edges 32 of the leg portions 10 extend to an
area above, at or below the wearer's knees when the garment is
worn, including to any point between the wearer's knees and ankles.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary garment 1 includes leg
portions 10 that extend to substantially cover the wearer's legs
down to the wearer's ankles. However, it should be understood that
the garment 1 may be configured as any type of garment, such as any
style of pants, such as capri-length pants, jeans, trousers,
leggings, sweat pants, yoga pants, shorts or the like.
Alternatively, the leg portions 10 may include openings adapted to
receive the wearer's legs, but lack tubular leg-covering portions
such that the garment 1 is configured as underwear, swimwear or
similar.
[0038] The uppermost edge portion 12 and lowermost edges 32 of the
leg portions 10 may comprise hems 30. Hems 30 may be formed by any
suitable hemming technique, including but not limited to tubular
hem stitching and the like. Aside from the hems 30, the remainder
of the garment 1 may comprise a single layer of material.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 3, the crotch area 28 of the garment 1
is shown comprising an optional gusset 26 connected to the lower
garment portion 8. The gusset 26 may be formed from material that
has a modulus of elasticity higher in a first direction than in a
second direction. However, it should be appreciated that suitable
garments according to the present disclosure can be formed without
gussets if desired.
[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative example of a
shaping garment 100 according to the present disclosure is shown.
This exemplary garment 100 has a front side 102 and rear side 104
and comprises an upper garment portion 106 connected to a lower
garment portion 108 by a seam 135. The lower garment portion 108
comprises two generally tubular leg portions 110 configured to
encircle at least a portion of a wearer's legs. The leg portions
110 may extend to an area above, at or below the wearer's
knees.
[0041] Similar to the upper garment portion 6 of garment 1 of FIG.
1, the upper garment portion 106 of this exemplary garment 100 may
be seamless, generally tubular and configured to encircle a
wearer's torso. The upper garment portion 106 may also be
configured to extend over a portion of the wearer's abdomen such
that an uppermost edge portion 112 of the upper garment portion 106
on a front side 102 of the garment 100 may reside in proximity to a
wearer's inframammary line when the garment is worn.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower perimeter 134 of upper
garment portion 106 in a front side 102 of the garment 100 projects
downward with a somewhat parabolic shape to accommodate bellies of
various shapes or sizes. The upper perimeter 136 of the lower
garment portion 108 in a front side 102 of the garment 100 may also
be configured to recede downwards with a parabolic shape adjacent
to and below the lower perimeter 134 of the upper garment portion
106 to make way for bellies of different sizes and shapes. The
parabolic shape may include a shallow curvature, or, alternatively,
a more pronounced curvature. Still further, the shape of the
perimeters 134, 136 may have no curvature, or an inverted
curvature.
[0043] The upper garment portion 106 may comprise at least one
shaper stitch region 114. As shown by example in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
shaper stitch region 114 may extend circumferentially around all or
portions of the upper garment portion 106.
[0044] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further exemplary garment
200 according to the present disclosure is shown. This exemplary
garment 200 includes a shaper stitch region 214 configured
differently than the shaper stitch regions 14, 114 discussed above.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative example of a
shaping garment 200 may comprises a non-circumferential shaper
stitch region 214 extending less than 360.degree. around the upper
garment portion 206. As shown in FIG. 6, the shaper stitch region
214 may be localized to the upper garment portion 206 in the front
side 202 of the garment 200 and may not extend to the rear side 204
of the garment 200. Optionally, a shaper stitch region 214 having a
higher modulus of elasticity may be localized to the upper garment
portion 206 in the front side 202 of the garment 200 and a shaper
stitch region (not shown) having a lower modulus of elasticity may
extend from the shaper stitch region 214 around the back side 204
of the garment 200 to provide differing degrees of compression and
shaping.
[0045] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a further exemplary garment 300
configured as a skirt, which may be of any style, such as any type
of long, mid-rise or short skirts, as well as similar type of
garments. Like the garment 200 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
garment 300 has a front side 302 and back side 304 and comprises an
upper garment portion 306 connected to a lower garment portion 308
by a seam 335. The lower garment portion 308 comprises a generally
tubular leg portion 310 configured to encircle at least a portion
of both of a wearer's legs. The leg portion 310 may extend to an
area above, at or below the wearer's knees.
[0046] Similar to the upper garment portion 6 of garment 1 of FIG.
1, the upper garment portion 306 of this exemplary garment 300 may
be seamless, generally tubular and configured to encircle a
wearer's torso. The upper garment portion 306 may also be
configured to extend over a portion of the wearer's abdomen such
that an uppermost edge portion 312 of the upper garment portion 306
on a front side 302 of the garment 300 may reside in proximity to a
wearer's inframammary line when the garment is worn.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower perimeter 334 of upper
garment portion 306 in a front side 302 of the garment 300 projects
downward with a somewhat parabolic shape to accommodate bellies of
various shapes or sizes. The upper perimeter 336 of the lower
garment portion 308 in a front side 302 of the garment 300 may also
be configured to recede downwards with a parabolic shape adjacent
to and below the lower perimeter 334 of the upper garment portion
306 to make way for bellies of different sizes and shapes. The
parabolic shape may include a shallow curvature, or, alternatively,
a more pronounced curvature. Still further, the shape of the
perimeters 334, 336 may have no curvature, or an inverted
curvature. The upper garment portion 306 may comprise at least one
shaper stitch region 314. As shown by example in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
shaper stitch region 314 may extend circumferentially around all or
portions of the upper garment portion 306.
[0048] Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a further exemplary garment
400 is shown. Optionally, the front side 402 is substantially
similar to the back side 404 of the garment 400. As shown in FIG.
10, the garment 400 is generally tubular and comprises an upper
garment portion 406 and lower garment portion 408. As seen best in
FIG. 11, the upper garment portion 406 is configured to encircle a
wearer's torso with an uppermost edge portion 412 preferably
configured to reside in proximity to the wearer's inframammary line
(I).
[0049] The garment 400 includes at least one shaper stitch region
414 on the upper garment portion 406. The shaper stitch region 414
may be adapted to apply a compressive force to the wearer's abdomen
when the garment is worn by the wearer. Optionally, the shaper
stitch region 414 extends circumferentially around at least a
portion of the upper garment portion 406. Preferably, the shaper
stitch region 414 extends from the uppermost edge portion 412 to a
height below the wearer's waist-line (W), preferably to a height in
proximity to the wearer's upper pelvis (P).
[0050] The lower garment portion 408 may be seamlessly connected to
the upper garment portion 406. The lower garment portion 408 is
preferably adapted to encircle at least a portion of the wearer's
body below the wearer's waist (W), more preferably a portion of the
wearer's body below the wearer's upper pelvis (P). Preferably, a
lowermost edge portion 432 of the garment 400 is configured to
reside in proximity to the wearer's hips (H).
[0051] Optionally, the lower garment portion 408 may be formed
without a shaper stitch region and may apply less of a compressive
force to the wearer than the shaper stitch region 414 of the upper
garment portion 406. Due to the absence of the shaper stitch
region, the lower garment portion 408 may have a greater
circumference than the upper garment portion 406, in which case the
lower garment portion 408 may flare outward from the upper garment
portion 406.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the garment 400 may support and shape
the wearer's abdomen from a height in proximity to the wearer's
inframammary line (I) to a height in proximity to the wearer's hips
(H). The garment 400 may be worn with at least a portion of the
lower garment portion 408 covering the upper portion of wearer's
bottoms, such as a waistband of a skirt or a pair of pants or
shorts. Preferably, the bottoms are post-partum or pre-maternity
bottoms having a fastened waistband. Advantageously, by extending
over and below the waistband of a wearer's bottoms, the garment 400
may reduce the appearance of excess body fat that may spill over
the waistline of pants or skirts.
[0053] Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, a further exemplary garment
500 is shown. The garment 500 has a front side 502 and back side
504 and comprises an upper garment portion 506 connected to a lower
garment portion 508.
[0054] The upper garment portion 506 may be generally tubular and
configured to encircle a wearer's torso. As shown in FIG. 12, the
upper garment portion 506 of the front side 502 is configured to
extend from a position along the left lateral side of the wearer's
abdomen across a front side of the wearer's abdomen to a position
along the right lateral side of the wearer's abdomen. Likewise, as
shown in FIG. 13, the upper garment portion 506 of the back side
504 is configured to extend from a position along the left lateral
side of the wearer's abdomen across a back side of the wearer's
abdomen to a position along the right lateral side of the wearer's
abdomen. Optionally, the upper garment portion 506 may be seamless
along the right and left lateral sides of the front side 502 and
back side 504.
[0055] For contouring or shaping the abdomen, the garment 500 of
FIGS. 12 and 13 comprises at least one shaper stitch region 514 on
the upper garment portion 506. As shown, at least a portion of the
shaper stitch region 514 may be configured to extend from a
position along the left lateral side of the wearer's abdomen across
a front side of the wearer's abdomen to a position along the right
lateral side of the wearer's abdomen. Additionally, as seen in FIG.
13, at least a portion of the shaper stitch region 514 may be
configured to extend from a position along the left lateral side of
the wearer's abdomen across a back side of the wearer's abdomen to
a position along the right lateral side of the wearer's abdomen. As
best seen by comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13, which respectively show
views the front side 502 and back side 504 of the garment 500, a
portion of the shaper stitch region 514 extending across the front
side of the wearer's abdomen on the front side 502 and a portion of
the shaper stitch region 514 extending across the back side of the
wearer's abdomen on the back side 504 of the garment 500 may be
continuous so as to form at least one circumferential portion 518
extending circumferentially around the upper garment portion 506.
The circumferential portion 518 of shaper stitch region 514 may
circumferentially apply a compressive force 360.degree. around the
wearer's abdomen to provide 360.degree. of contouring and
shaping.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the shaper stitch region 514 may
be configured on the front side 502 to extend over a substantial
portion of the wearer's abdomen from a height below the wearer's
waist, preferably in proximity to the wearer's upper pelvis, to a
height in proximity to the wearer's inframammary line or
inframammary crease. On the back side 504, the shaper stitch region
514 may be configured to extend over a substantial portion of the
wearer's abdomen from a height at or above the wearer's upper
pelvis to the uppermost edge 512 of the garment 500.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 12, front side 502 of the upper garment
portion 506 may comprise a breast covering portion 540 configured
to cover and extend over the wearer's breasts. The breast covering
portion 540 may comprise an expansible fabric that can stretch to
accommodate various breast sizes. As shown in FIG. 12, the breast
covering portion 540 may comprise a support channel 542 configured
to extend along the wearer's inframammary line to support the
wearer's breasts. The support channel 542 may be formed from a
flexible, but preferably inelastic material. The support channel
542 may optionally include a flexible or rigid underwire or may be
wireless. Optionally, the breast covering portion 540 may further
be provided with molded foam cups (not shown) for providing
additional support.
[0058] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the garment 500 may be
provided with shoulder straps 544 connecting to the front side 502
and back side 504 and configured to extend over the wearer's
shoulders. Optionally, the shoulder straps 544 may be adjustable
and/or may be detachable. In preferred examples, the shoulder
straps 544 may include nursing fasteners 546 for coupling and
uncoupling a shoulder strap 544 to the breast covering portion 540
to allow the wearer to nurse an infant.
[0059] The lower garment portion 508 may be seamlessly connected to
the upper garment portion 506 and may be seamless along the right
and left lateral sides. The lower garment portion 508 is preferably
adapted to encircle at least a portion of the wearer's body below
the wearer's waist, more preferably a portion of the wearer's body
below the wearer's upper pelvis. Preferably, a lowermost edge
portion 532 of the garment 500 is configured to reside in proximity
to the wearer's hips.
[0060] Optionally, the lower garment portion 508 may be formed
without a shaper stitch region and may apply less of a compressive
force to the wearer than the shaper stitch region 514 of the upper
garment portion 506. Due to the absence of the shaper stitch
region, the lower garment portion 508 may have a greater
circumference than the upper garment portion 506, in which case the
lower garment portion 508 may flare outward from the upper garment
portion 506.
[0061] Turning now to FIGS. 14 and 15, yet another exemplary
garment 600 is shown. Like garment 500 in FIGS. 12 and 13, garment
600 is generally tubular and configured to encircle a wearer's
torso.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 14, front side 602 of the upper garment
portion 606 may comprise a breast covering portion 640 configured
to cover and extend over the wearer's breasts. As shown, the breast
covering portion 640 may comprise two support channels 642a and
642b, each configured to extend underneath one of the wearer's
breast along the wearer's inframammary crease. The support channels
642a and 642b may be formed from a flexible, but preferably
inelastic material to support the wearer's breasts. The support
channels 642a and 642b may optionally include a flexible or rigid
underwire or may be wireless.
[0063] Turning now to FIGS. 16 and 17, yet another exemplary
garment 700 is shown. Like garment 500 in FIGS. 12 and 13, garment
700 is generally tubular and configured to encircle a wearer's
torso.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 14, front side 702 of the upper garment
portion 706 may comprise a breast covering portion 740 configured
to cover and extend over the wearer's breasts. As shown, the breast
covering portion 740 may comprise a resilient elastic portion 742
configured to extend underneath the wearer's breasts along the
wearer's inframammary line. The resilient elastic portion 742 may
be seamlessly incorporated in the garment 700 and may encircle the
wearer's torso to support the wearer's breasts. For example, the
resilient elastic portion 742 may be formed by knitted rib stitched
lycra or spandex threads in the garment 700. Optionally, the breast
covering portion 740 may further be provided with foam cups (not
shown) for providing additional support.
[0065] The garments of this disclosure may be manufactured from
materials made using any suitable textile manufacturing technique
including knitting or weaving, for example, jersey knitting, rib
stitching, interlock knitting and the like, as well as combinations
thereof. Suitable materials may include (without limitation) nylon,
polyester or spandex material and the like. Suitably, a garment may
optionally contain greater than 5% spandex, greater than 10%
spandex, and even greater than 15% spandex. A garment may also
optionally contain less than 40% spandex, such as less than 30%
spandex, and even less than 25% spandex. The garments may also be
comprised of material having greater than 30 denier, greater than
40 denier, and even greater than 60 denier.
[0066] A suitable method of manufacturing a support garment
according to this disclosure may include forming a garment material
(from one or more pieces of fabric) or seamlessly knitting a shaper
stitch region to a portion of the garment material so as to provide
an elevated modulus of elasticity in at least one direction.
Knitting may be used to apply a shaper stitch region
circumferentially around the garment or to non-circumferential
portions of the garments.
[0067] Methods of constructing the garments are not limited. For
example, a suitable upper garment portion with shaper stitch region
may be produced by knitting a 2.times.1 rib stitch tube with
threads containing at least some spandex and knitting tubular
jersey stitch hems. Alternatively, a suitable upper garment portion
with shaper stitch region may be produced by knitting a 2.times.1
rib stitch tube, placing 1.times.1 rib stitches on the upper
garment portion with threads containing at least some spandex and
knitting a tubular jersey stitch hem.
[0068] While it is described above that garments of this disclosure
can be worn during early stages of pregnancy and postpartum, it
should be understood that garments of this disclosure can be worn
at any time and by a wide range of users; for example, garments of
this disclosure may be suitably worn during pregnancy or by those
who are not pregnant, and of any age, shape, size and/or gender,
including both women and men, without departing from this
disclosure.
[0069] Although the garments and methods have been described in
connection with specific forms thereof, it will be appreciated that
a wide variety of equivalents may be substituted for the specified
elements described herein without departing from the spirit and
scope of this disclosure as described in the appended claims.
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