Conductive clothing zipper product

Abstract

To provide a conductive clothing zipper product which allows a wearer of a clothing to operate an electronic part for actuating an electronic function of the clothing and ability and stopping, in a clothing in which electronic function or performance is incorporated by evolution of a wearable technique.SOLUTION: One aspect of the present disclosure describes a clothing zipper product in one embodiment comprising a first component coupled to a second component for fastening a clothing. The first component comprises: a first substrate; an array of first conductive fasteners which is fitted to the first substrate, the array including a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows; and one set of first conductive paths which is conductively provided along the columns of the first conductive fasteners. The first conductive fasteners can be engaged to the second conductive fasteners of the second component for forming conductive connection through the first and second components engaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to conductive clothing fastener products. More particularly, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of clothing fastener products having conductive fasteners and conductive pathways, as well as methods of manufacturing such clothing fastener products. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of clothing, especially brassieres, underwear, sportswear, and similarly form-fitting personal clothing, have components that are used to fasten the garment when worn and release the garment when worn off. The development of wearable technology has led to the development of clothing with built-in electronic functions and capabilities. The user wearing the garment operates the electronic components to activate or deactivate the garment's electronic functions and capabilities. One obvious problem is that such activation / deactivation does not seem to be integrated with wearing the garment.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved garment fastening product, and a method for manufacturing such a garment fastening product, to address or mitigate at least the aforementioned problems or shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a garment fastener product for a garment is provided, the garment fastener product including a first article that can be coupled to a second article to fasten the garment. The first article includes a first substrate, an array of first conductive fasteners attached to the first substrate, the array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a set of first conductive paths conductively disposed along the rows of the first conductive fasteners. The first conductive fasteners are engagable with second conductive fasteners of the second article to couple the first and second articles together and form a conductive connection therethrough.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing garment fastener products, each garment fastener product including a first part and a second part that can be coupled together to fasten a garment. The method includes the steps of manufacturing a set of first parts, the steps of manufacturing a first body, forming first conductive pathways and first conductive fasteners on the first body, the first conductive fasteners being formed as a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the first conductive pathways being conductively disposed along the rows of the first conductive fasteners, distributing the first bodies to a set of first substrates, each first substrate including a set of the first conductive pathways and an array of the first conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows, and obtaining each of the first parts including the first substrates. In each garment fastening product, a first conductive fastener of a first part is engagable with a second conductive fastener of a second part to join the first and second parts together and form a conductive connection therethrough.

[0006] One or more advantages of the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure is that the garment fastening product allows the garment to be fastened to form a conductive connection through the first and second parts. This conductive connection allows electronic functions and capabilities built into the garment to be activated. Thus, the garment fastening product acts as a kind of switch, with the electronic functions being activated and deactivated in response to the coupling and decoupling of the first and second parts, respectively. Thus, a wearer of the garment can easily activate the electronic functions by donning the garment, and can deactivate the electronic functions by removing the garment. Another advantage is that by providing multiple rows of first conductive fasteners for the first part, any one of the rows can be selectively engaged with a second conductive fastener of the second part. For a person wearing the garment using the garment fastening product, the above-mentioned selective engagement allows the garment to be adjusted to fit the person.

[0007] Thus, a garment fastener product and a method for manufacturing a garment fastener product according to the present disclosure are disclosed herein. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example only. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a garment fastener product having a first part and a second part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B illustrates a garment fastener product having a first part and a second part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates a first and second component conductive fastener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates a conductive fastener of a first and second component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a garment fastener product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a garment fastener product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a garment fastener product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is an illustration of a first and second part of a garment fastener product in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an illustration of a first and second part of a garment fastener product in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an additional illustration of a first and second component in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an additional illustration of the first and second components in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A]FIG. 6A illustrates a first component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B illustrates the first component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is another illustration of the first and second components in a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is another illustration of the first and second components in a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is another illustration of the first and second components in a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is another illustration of the first and second components in a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In this disclosure, the depiction or discussion of a particular element, the use of a particular element number in a particular figure, or its reference in corresponding explanatory material, is intended to encompass the same, equivalent, or similar element or element number identified in another figure or associated explanatory material. The use of " / " in a figure or associated text is understood to mean "and / or" unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty, finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits a set cardinality of at least one according to known mathematical definitions (e.g., a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, singlet, or single-element set, or a multi-element set). Recitation of a particular numerical value or range of values ​​herein is understood to include or describe the approximate numerical value or range of values.

[0010] For brevity and clarity, the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to the garment fastener product and the manufacturing method of the garment fastener product according to the drawings. Although aspects of the present disclosure are described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to encompass alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the embodiments described herein, which are within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by individuals of ordinary skill in the art, i.e., those skilled in the art, that the present disclosure can be practiced without certain details and / or with multiple details resulting from the combination of aspects of a particular embodiment. In many instances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] In a representative or exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1A, there is a garment fastening product 20 for a garment (not shown). The garment may be, but is not limited to, a brassiere, underwear, sportswear, and similar form-fitting or form-fitting personal clothing or underwear. In some embodiments, the garment fastening product 20 includes a first part 100 that is connectable 22 or engageable with a second part 200 to fasten the garment. In some other embodiments, the garment fastening product 20 includes a first part 100 and a second part 200. The first part 100 may be referred to as a female part and the second part 200 may be referred to as a male part.

[0012] The first component 100 includes a first substrate 102 and an array of first conductive fasteners 104 attached to the first substrate 102. The first substrate 102 forms a body or base of the first component 100 to which the first conductive fasteners 104 are attached. The array of first conductive fasteners 104 includes a plurality of rows 106 and a plurality of columns 108. From the perspective of a person wearing a garment using the garment fastening product 20, the rows 106 are defined as a horizontal direction and the columns 108 are defined as a vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1A, the first conductive fasteners 104 are arranged in horizontal rows 106 and vertical columns 108. The first component 100 further includes a set of first conductive paths 110 conductively disposed along the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. Specifically, each row 106 of first conductive fasteners 104 is connected by a first conductive pathway 110. First conductive pathway 110 allows for the conduction of electricity / electrical signals along first conductive fasteners 104.

[0013] The second part 200 includes a second substrate 202 and an array of second conductive fasteners 204 attached to the second substrate 202. The second substrate 202 forms a body or base of the second part 200 to which the second conductive fasteners 204 are attached. The array of second conductive fasteners 202 includes a plurality of rows 206 and one or more columns 208. From the perspective of a person wearing a garment using the garment fastening product 20, the rows 206 are defined as a horizontal direction and the columns 208 are defined as a vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1A, the second conductive fasteners 204 are arranged in horizontal rows 206 and vertical columns 208. The second part 200 further includes a set of second conductive paths 210 conductively disposed along the rows 206 of the second conductive fasteners 204. Specifically, each row 206 of second conductive fasteners 204 is connected by a second conductive pathway 210. Second conductive pathway 210 allows for the conduction of electricity / electrical signals along second conductive fasteners 204.

[0014] The garment fastening product 20 is used on a garment to fasten and unfasten, i.e., close and open, the garment by respectively coupling and separating 22 the first and second parts 100 and 200. Specifically, the first conductive fastener 104 of the first part 100 is engageable with the second conductive fastener 204 of the second part 200 to couple 22 the first and second parts 100 and 200 together. More specifically, at least one row 108 of the first conductive fastener 104 is engageable with at least one row 208 of the second conductive fastener 204. Furthermore, the coupling 22 described above forms a conductive connection through the first and second parts 100 and 200, specifically through the first and second conductive fasteners 104 and 204 engaged together.

[0015] Each of the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202 may include a fabric body formed from one or more layers of fabric material. The fabric material may be selected and / or the layers of fabric material may be arranged based on various parameters, such as the end use of the garment fastener product 20 and the garment, and the thickness and structural strength / integrity of the fabric material. Alternatively, the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202 may include a film and / or membrane instead of a fabric body.

[0016] The first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 are made of a conductive material to conduct electrical signals. Some non-limiting examples of conductive materials include stainless steel, brass, silver alloys, and other metallic materials / alloys. The conductive material may be selected based on various parameters, such as electrical conductivity and / or structural strength, to ensure reliable engagement of the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204.

[0017] The first conductive pathway 110 and the second conductive pathway 210 are formed from a conductive material for conducting electrical signals. In one embodiment, the conductive pathways 110 and 210 include conductive yarns or threads. The yarns or threads may be coated with a silver material, such as nanosilver, a copper material, or the like. In another embodiment, the conductive pathways 110 and 210 include ductile wires / filaments made of a conductive metal, such as gold or copper. In yet another embodiment, the conductive pathways 110 and 210 include or are printed with a conductive ink. It will be appreciated that various types of conductive inks are known to those skilled in the art.

[0018] The first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 include mutually engagable male and female fasteners, which may be formed from known fastening / coupling mechanisms such as hooks and eyes, hook and loop tape, snap fit fasteners, eyelets, snap buttons, etc. As known fastening / coupling / engaging mechanisms, the first conductive fastener 104 may be referred to as a female fastener and the second conductive fastener 204 may be referred to as a male fastener. The first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 are thus mutually engagable to couple 22 the first part 100 and the second part 200 together.

[0019] In some embodiments, the rows 106 and 206 are equal, i.e., the first conductive fasteners 104 and the second conductive fasteners 204 are arranged in the same number of rows 106 and 206, respectively. As described above, at least one column 108 of the first conductive fasteners 104 is engageable with at least one column 208 of the second conductive fasteners 204. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the array of first conductive fasteners 104 has two rows 106 and three columns 108, and the array of second conductive fasteners 204 has two rows 206 and one column 208. The one column 208 can be selectively engaged with any one of the columns 108. For a person wearing a garment using the garment fastening product 20, the selective engagement described above allows the garment to be adjusted to fit the person. In another embodiment, the array of first conductive fasteners 104 has two rows 106 and three columns 108, and the array of second conductive fasteners 204 has two rows 206 and two columns 208. The two columns 208 can be selectively engaged with the outer pair of columns 108 or the inner pair of columns 108, thereby allowing for adjustment of the fit of the garment worn by the person. Additionally, engaging the two pairs of columns 108 and 208 of the first conductive fasteners 104 and second conductive fasteners 204 allows for more secure fastening of the garment fastener product 20, and therefore more secure fitting of the garment worn by the person.

[0020] The interengagement of the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 upon said coupling 22 forms a conductive connection through the first part 100 and the second part 200 to the garment fastening product 20. In the first part 100, the end 112 of the first conductive pathway 110 extends beyond the first substrate 102 and is connected or connectable to an electronic component of the garment. Similarly, in the second part 200, the end 212 of the second conductive pathway 210 extends beyond the second substrate 202 and is connected or connectable to an electronic component. For example, garments may be integrated with wearable technology and may incorporate electronic components, including a power source, for performing various electronic functions and operations.

[0021] As an example, the garment fastening product 20 is incorporated into or used in a garment, such as a sports bra. Opposing sides of the garment, i.e., a left side and a right side, are attached to a first part 100 and a second part 200 of the garment fastening product 20, respectively. The first part 100 and the second part 200 are connectable 22 to fasten and unfasten the garment. The garment fastening product 20 may be positioned around the sagittal plane of a person wearing the garment, and may be positioned at the front or back of the garment. Each of the opposing sides incorporates electronic components for performing various electronic functions and operations. The electronic functions and operations are activated in response to electrical signals conducted between the opposing sides. A conductive connection is formed at the connection 22 of the first and second parts 100 and 200, thereby allowing electrical signals to be conducted between the opposing sides. Thus, the garment fastening product 20 functions as a kind of switch, where electronic functions and operations are activated and deactivated in response to the coupling and decoupling 22 of the first and second parts 100 and 200, respectively. That activation may also refer to maintaining the garment's electronic functions and operations in an active state, where the electronic functions and operations are performed in response to a subsequent action by the person or wearer after donning the garment. Thus, a person or wearer of the garment can easily activate the electronic functions and operations by donning a garment integrated with the garment fastening product 20, and thereby deactivate the electronic functions and operations by removing the garment.

[0022] In an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 1A, the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204, which form interengageable hooks and eyes, are first attached to the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202, respectively, such as by riveting or stitching with a conductive yarn or thread. The first conductive pathway 110 and the second conductive pathway 210 are conductively disposed along the row 106 of the first conductive fastener 104 and the row 206 of the second conductive fastener 204, respectively. For example, the conductive pathways 110 and 210 include a conductive yarn or thread sewn along the conductive fasteners 104 and 204 such that the conductive yarn or thread is in conductive contact with the fasteners 104 and 204.

[0023] Further, referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the conductive fasteners 104 and 204 are connected by conductive pathways 110 and 210, respectively, which are conductive yarns. The conductive yarns are carefully stitched on the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202, respectively, and along the rows 106 and 206 of the conductive fasteners 104 and 204. Specifically, the stitch pattern ensures that the conductive fasteners 104 and 204 are in conductive contact with the conductive yarns for conducting electrical signals through the conductive fasteners 104 and 204. Furthermore, in the portions of the conductive fasteners 104 and 204 that are attached to the substrates 102 and 202 (the stems 104a and 204a), the conductive yarns form repeated stitches 114 and 214 for improved contact. This reduces the risk of the conductive yarns unraveling and loosening or even separating the conductive fasteners 104 and 204. Additionally, conventional threads / yarns form repeating stitches 115 and 215 to secure conductive fasteners 104 and 204 onto substrates 102 and 202, respectively.

[0024] 1B, first and second conductive pathways 110 and 210, such as conductive inks, are first printed on the first and second substrates 102 and 202, respectively. First and second conductive fasteners 104 and 204, which constitute interengageable snap-fit ​​fasteners or snap buttons, are attached to the first and second substrates 102 and 202, respectively, specifically on the first and second conductive pathways 110 and 210, such as by riveting or stitching with conductive yarn or thread.

[0025] 3A, there is a method 300 of manufacturing garment fastening products 20, each garment fastening product 20 including a first part 100 and a second part 200 that are connectable to one another to fasten a garment. The method 300 includes a first stage 310 of manufacturing a set 24 of first parts 100 and a second stage 320 of manufacturing a set 26 of second parts 200.

[0026] 3B, a first stage 310 of manufacturing the set 24 of first components 100 includes a step 312 of manufacturing a first body 116. The first stage 310 further includes a step 314 of forming the first conductive pathways 110 and the first conductive fasteners 104 on the first body 116. The first conductive fasteners 104 are formed / arranged as a plurality of rows 106 and a plurality of columns 108. The first conductive pathways 110 are conductively arranged along the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. The first stage 310 further includes a step 316 of distributing the first body 116 to a set of first body portions, which are first substrates 102. Each of the first substrates 102 includes a set of first conductive pathways 110 and an array of first conductive fasteners 104 formed thereon. The array has equal columns 108 and at least two rows 106, meaning that within a set of first substrates 102, they have the same number of columns 108 and, optionally, different numbers of rows 106. The first stage 310 further includes a step 318 of obtaining each first component 100 comprising one of the first substrates 102.

[0027] 3C, a second stage 320 of manufacturing the set 26 of second parts 200 includes a step 322 of manufacturing a second body 216. The second stage 320 further includes a step 324 of forming second conductive paths 210 and second conductive fasteners 204 on the second body 216. The second conductive fasteners 204 are formed / arranged as a plurality of rows 206 and one or more columns 208. The second conductive paths 210 are conductively arranged along the rows 206 of the second conductive fasteners 204. The second stage 320 further includes a step 326 of distributing the second body 216 to a set of second body portions that are second substrates 202. Each of the second substrates 202 includes a set of second conductive paths 210 and an array of second conductive fasteners 204 formed thereon. The array has equal columns 208 and at least two rows 206, meaning that within a set of second substrates 202, they have the same number of columns 208 and, optionally, different numbers of rows 206. The second stage 320 further includes a step 328 of obtaining each second component 200 comprising one of the second substrates 202.

[0028] For each garment fastener product 20 produced by method 300, the first conductive fasteners 104 of the first part 100 are engagable with and capable of forming a conductive connection therethrough with the second conductive fasteners 204 of the second part 200 to couple 22 the first part 100 and the second part 200 together. Specifically, at least a row 108 of the first conductive fasteners 104 are engagable with at least one row of the second conductive fasteners 204.

[0029] 4A and 4B, in steps 312 and 322, the first body 116 and the second body 216 are fabricated as a continuous elongated base substrate or tape, respectively. Each of the first body 116 and the second body 216 may comprise an elongated fabric body formed from one or more layers of fabric material. The fabric material may be selected and / or the layers of fabric material may be arranged based on various parameters such as material thickness and structural strength / integrity. Alternatively, the first and second bodies 116 and 216 may comprise films and / or membranes.

[0030] In step 314, the first conductive pathway 110 and the first conductive fastener 104 are formed on the first body 116 in electrical contact with each other. Similarly, in step 324, the second conductive pathway 210 and the second conductive fastener 204 are formed on the second body 216 in electrical contact with each other. In some embodiments, the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 are first attached to the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively, such as by stitching with a conductive yarn. The first conductive pathway 110 and the second conductive pathway 210 are then conductively disposed along the row 106 of the first conductive fastener 104 and the row 206 of the second conductive fastener 204, respectively. For example, the above-mentioned connection of the first conductive pathway 110 includes sewing the first conductive pathway 110 with a conductive yarn to the first body 116 along the row 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. Similarly, the above-mentioned connection of the second conductive pathway 210 includes sewing the second conductive pathway 210 with a conductive yarn onto the second body 116 along the row 206 of the second conductive fasteners 204. It will be appreciated that the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 are sufficiently exposed on the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively, to facilitate the above-mentioned sewing of the conductive yarn along the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204.

[0031] In some other embodiments, the order of formation may be reversed. For example, in step 314, the first conductive pathways 110 are first formed, such as by stitching, on the first body 116 as a plurality of rows. Then, the first conductive fasteners 104 are attached to the first conductive pathways 110 formed, such as by stitching or rivets, on the first body 116, such that the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104 correspond to the rows of the first conductive pathways 110. Similarly, in step 324, the second conductive pathways 210 are first formed, such as by stitching or rivets, on the second body 216 as a plurality of rows. Then, the second conductive fasteners 204 are attached to the formed second conductive pathways 210, such that the rows 206 of the second conductive fasteners 204 correspond to the rows of the second conductive pathways 210.

[0032] It will be understood that the various stitching operations described herein may be performed by a programmable pattern stitching machine or an embroidery machine for high precision.

[0033] In steps 316 and 326, the first body 116 and the second body 216 are allocated to the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202, respectively. In steps 318 and 328, the first part 100 and the second part 200 are obtained from the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202, respectively. The allocation includes cutting the first body 116 and the second body 216 according to the desired dimensions and configurations for the first part 110 and the second part 200, such as the number and arrangement of the conductive fasteners 104 and 204. The desired dimensions and configurations may depend on the end use of the garment fastening product 20 and the garment. Each garment fastening product 20 includes the first part 100 and the second part 200. Optionally, for each garment fastener product 20, the rows 106 of first conductive fasteners 104 on the first part 100 and the rows 206 of second conductive fasteners 204 on the second part 200 are equal.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, after the stitching operation, some excess or overhang 118 and 218 of the conductive yarn may remain on the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively. The above-mentioned distribution includes the cutting off of the overhang 118 and 218, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Specifically, the first body 116 is distributed such that the end 112 of the first conductive path 110 extends about 5 mm beyond the first body 116 for each first substrate 102. Similarly, the second body 216 is distributed such that the end 212 of the second conductive path 210 extends about 5 mm beyond the second body 216 for each second substrate 202. It will be understood that the extension of the ends 112 and 212 beyond the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively, may vary as desired, such as depending on the application of the fastener product 20. Ends 112 and 212 are for connection to electronic components of the garment to perform various electronic functions and operations.

[0035] Figure 1A shows a first part 100 having first conductive fasteners 104 arranged in two rows 106 and three columns 108, and a second part 200 having second conductive fasteners 204 arranged in two rows 206 and one column 208. Figure 6A shows a first part 100 having first conductive fasteners 104 arranged in four rows 106 and three columns 108. The additional rows 106 provide a more secure fastening of the garment fastener product 20, and thus a more secure fitting of the garment on the person.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first component 100, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 6A, the first body 116 is distributed such that the first conductive pathways 110 formed on the first substrate 102 are disposed separately along each of the different rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. This allows each row 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104 to function as a separate connection to a different electronic component of the garment, such as for fastening to different rows 106 to perform different electronic operations. In some other embodiments of the first component 100, such as those shown in FIG. 6B, the first body 116 is distributed such that the first conductive pathways 110 formed on the first substrate 102 are disposed continuously along all of the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. In this way, the rows 106 function as a single continuous connection to the electronic component of the garment. It will be understood that the above-mentioned separate or continuous connection of the first conductive path 110 for the first component 100 applies equally to the second conductive path 210 for the second component 200.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7A, in step 314, the first conductive pathways 110 are first formed on the first body 116 as a plurality of rows, such as by printing with a conductive ink. Specifically, the first conductive pathways 110 are printed on the outermost layer or surface of the first body 116. The design and characteristics of the printing, as well as the conductive ink, may depend on the end use of the garment fastener product 20 and the garment. The first conductive fasteners 104 are then attached to the first conductive pathways 110, such as by stitching or rivets, on the first body 116, with the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104 corresponding to the rows of the first conductive pathways 110. It will be understood that the above-mentioned printing of the first conductive pathways 110 on the first body 116 applies similarly to the printing of the second conductive pathways 210 on the second body 216.

[0038] 7A and 7B show an undistributed first body 116 and a distributed second part 200 having interengageable hooks and eyes as a first conductive fastener 104 and a second conductive fastener 204. In some other embodiments, the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 comprise interengageable snap fit fasteners or snap buttons, as shown in FIGS.

[0039] In the preceding detailed description, embodiments of the present disclosure relating to a garment fastening product 20 and a method 300 for manufacturing a garment fastening product 20 are described with reference to the figures provided. The description of various embodiments herein is not intended to specify or limit only a particular or specific expression of the present disclosure, but is intended merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure contributes to addressing at least one of the mentioned problems and issues associated with the prior art. Although only some embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure that various changes and / or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure, as well as the scope of the following claims, should not be limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A garment fastener product for a garment, comprising: a first part connectable to a second part for fastening the garment; The first part includes: A first substrate; an array of first conductive fasteners attached to the first substrate, the array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; a set of first conductive paths conductively disposed along the row of the first conductive fasteners; the first conductive fastener is engageable with a second conductive fastener of the second component to couple the first and second components together and form a conductive connection therebetween; Clothing fastener products.

2. the first conductive pathway is stitched to the first substrate along a row of the first conductive fasteners; 2. The garment fastener product of claim 1.

3. the first conductive pathway comprises a conductive yarn; 3. The garment fastener product of claim 2.

4. the first conductive pathway is printed on the first substrate as a plurality of rows; the first rows of conductive fasteners are attached to correspond to the first rows of conductive pathways; 2. The garment fastener product of claim 1.

5. the first conductive pathway comprises a conductive ink; 5. The garment fastener product of claim 4.

6. the first conductive pathway is disposed continuously along every row of the first conductive fasteners; A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the first conductive paths are disposed separately along each of the different rows of the first conductive fasteners; A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. the first substrate comprises a fabric body; A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The first conductive path is A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A second substrate; an array of the second conductive fasteners attached to the second substrate, the array including a plurality of rows and one or more columns; a set of second conductive paths conductively disposed along the rows of the second conductive fasteners; at least one row of the first conductive fasteners is engageable with at least one row of the second conductive fasteners to join the first and second components together and form a conductive connection therethrough; A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the rows of the first conductive fasteners are equal to the rows of the second conductive fasteners; 11. The garment fastener product of claim 10.

12. the first conductive fastener and the second conductive fastener include interengageable male and female fasteners; A clothing fastener product according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The garment is underwear. A clothing fastener product according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 1. A method of manufacturing a clothing fastener product, comprising: Each garment fastening product includes a first part and a second part connectable to each other to fasten the garment; The method includes manufacturing a set of the first parts, the step comprising: manufacturing a first body; forming first conductive pathways and first conductive fasteners on the first body, the first conductive fasteners being formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the first conductive pathways being conductively disposed along the rows of the first conductive fasteners; distributing the first bodies into a set of first substrates, each of the first substrates including a set of the first conductive pathways and an array of the first conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows; obtaining a respective first component comprising a first substrate; in each of the garment fastening articles, the first conductive fastener of the first part is engagable with a second conductive fastener of the second part to join the first part and the second part together and form a conductive connection therethrough; method.

15. The step of forming the first conductive pathway and the first conductive fastener comprises: attaching the first conductive fastener to the first body; and conductively disposing the first conductive path along a row of the first conductive fasteners. The method of claim 14.

16. The step of disposing the first conductive path comprises: stitching the first conductive pathway to the first body along a row of the first conductive fasteners. The method of claim 15.

17. The step of forming the first conductive pathway and the first conductive fastener comprises: forming the first conductive pathways on the first body in a plurality of rows; and attaching the first conductive fastener to the formed first conductive path; a row of the first conductive fasteners corresponds to a row of the first conductive pathways; The method of claim 14.

18. forming a row of the first conductive paths; and The steps of attaching the first conductive fasteners each include stitching to the first body; 20. The method of claim 17.

19. The step of forming the first rows of conductive paths comprises: printing on the first body; 20. The method of claim 17.

20. For each of the first substrates, the first body is distributed such that the first conductive path extends beyond the first substrate for connection to an electronic component of the garment. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

21. the first body is distributed such that the first conductive paths formed on the first substrate are disposed continuously along every row of the first conductive fasteners; The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. the first bodies are distributed such that the first conductive paths formed on the first substrate are disposed separately along each of the different rows of the first conductive fasteners; The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

23. manufacturing a second body; forming second conductive pathways and second conductive fasteners on the second body, the second conductive fasteners being formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the second conductive pathways being conductively disposed along the rows of the second conductive fasteners; distributing the second bodies onto a set of second substrates, each of the second substrates including a set of the second conductive pathways and an array of the second conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows; obtaining a respective first component comprising a first substrate; manufacturing a set of said second parts; in each of said garment fastening products, at least one row of said first conductive fasteners of said first component is engagable with at least one row of said second conductive fasteners of said second component to join said first component and said second component together and form a conductive connection therethrough; The method according to any one of claims 14 to 22.

24. for each garment fastening product, there are equal rows of the first conductive fasteners on the first component and equal rows of the second conductive fasteners on the second component; 24. The method of claim 23.

25. The garment is underwear. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 24.

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