Conductive clothing fasteners

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure describes a garment fastener product for a garment, including a first component connectable to a second component for fastening the garment. The first component comprises 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 arranged along the rows of the first conductive fasteners. The first conductive fasteners are engageable with second conductive fasteners of the second component to connect the first and second components together and form a conductive connection therethrough.

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, particularly bras, underwear, sportswear, and similarly form-fitting personal garments, have components that are used to fasten the garment when donning and detach the garment when doffing. The development of wearable technology has led to the development of clothing with built-in electronic functions and capabilities. The user wearing the clothing operates the electronic components to activate or deactivate the clothing's electronic functions and capabilities. One obvious problem is that such activation / deactivation does not seem to be integrated with wearing the clothing.

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

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a garment fastener product for a garment is provided, 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 arranged along the rows of the first conductive fasteners. The first conductive fasteners are engageable 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 component and a second component that can be coupled to each other to fasten a garment. The method includes the steps of manufacturing a set of first components, the steps including: manufacturing a first body; forming first conductive paths 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 paths being conductively disposed along the rows of the first conductive fasteners; distributing the first bodies among a set of first substrates, each first substrate including a set of first conductive paths and an array of first conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows; and obtaining each of the first components 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-described aspects of the present disclosure include that the garment fastening product allows a garment to be fastened to form a conductive connection via the first and second components. This conductive connection can activate electronic functions and capabilities built into the garment. The garment fastening product thus functions as a type of switch, with the electronic functions being activated and deactivated in response to the coupling and decoupling of the first and second components, respectively. Thus, a garment wearer can easily activate the electronic functions by putting on the garment and deactivate them by removing the garment. Another advantage is that by providing multiple rows of first conductive fasteners for the first component, any one of the rows can be selectively engaged with a second conductive fastener on the second component. This selective engagement allows a person wearing the garment using the garment fastening product to adjust the fit of the garment to their individual needs.

[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 explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a garment fastening product having a first part and a second part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B illustrates a garment fastening 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 part 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 first and second parts 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 the first and second parts 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 INVENTION

[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 a garment fastener product and a method for manufacturing a garment fastener product according to the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the 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, individuals of ordinary skill in the art will recognize 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 bra, 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 coupleable 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 the female part, and the second part 200 may be referred to as the 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 the horizontal rows 106 and the vertical columns 108. The first component 100 further includes a set of first conductive paths 110 conductively arranged 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 component 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 component 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 component 200 further includes a set of second conductive paths 210 electrically 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 fasteners 104 is engageable with at least one row 208 of the second conductive fasteners 204. Furthermore, the above-described coupling 22 forms a conductive connection through the first and second parts 100 and 200, specifically through the first and second conductive fasteners 104 and 204 that are 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 fastening 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 between 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 comprise 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 comprise ductile wires / filaments made of a conductive metal, such as gold or copper. In yet another embodiment, the conductive pathways 110 and 210 comprise 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 interengageable 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 interengageable 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, this selective engagement allows the garment to be tailored 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 adjustable fit of the garment worn by a person. Furthermore, engaging the two pairs of columns 108 and 208 of first conductive fasteners 104 and second conductive fasteners 204 allows for more secure fastening of the garment fastening product 20, and therefore more secure fitting of the garment worn by a person.

[0020] The interengagement of the first conductive fastener 104 and the second conductive fastener 204 during the aforementioned coupling 22 forms a conductive connection through the first component 100 and the second component 200 to the garment fastening product 20. In the first component 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 component 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, the garment may be integrated with wearable technology and 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., left and right sides, 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 for fastening and unfastening the garment. The garment fastening product 20 may be positioned around the sagittal plane of a person wearing the garment, or 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 transmitted between the opposing sides. A conductive connection is formed at the connecting portions 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 type of switch, with electronic functions and operations being activated and deactivated in response to the coupling and decoupling 22 of the first and second components 100 and 200, respectively. Activation may refer to maintaining the garment's electronic functions and operations in an active state, with the electronic functions and operations being 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 subsequently deactivate the electronic functions and operations by removing the garment.

[0022] 1A , first and second conductive fasteners 104, 204, which form interengageable hook-and-eye configurations, are first attached to first and second substrates 102, 202, respectively, such as by riveting or stitching with a conductive yarn or thread. First and second conductive pathways 110, 210 are conductively disposed along rows 106, 206, of first and second conductive fasteners 104, 204, respectively. For example, conductive pathways 110, 210 comprise conductive yarns or threads sewn along conductive fasteners 104, 204, such that the conductive yarns or threads are in conductive contact with fasteners 104, 204.

[0023] 2A and 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 onto the first substrate 102 and the second substrate 202 and along the rows 106 and 206 of the conductive fasteners 104 and 204, respectively. Specifically, the stitching pattern ensures that the conductive fasteners 104 and 204 are in conductive contact with the conductive yarns for electrical signals to be conducted 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 paths 110 and 210, such as conductive inks, are first printed on first and second substrates 102 and 202, respectively. First and second conductive fasteners 104 and 204, which comprise interengageable snap-fit ​​fasteners or snap buttons, are then attached to first and second substrates 102 and 202, respectively, by rivets or stitches using conductive yarn or thread, specifically over first and second conductive paths 110 and 210.

[0025] 3A, there is a method 300 for manufacturing garment fastening products 20, each of which includes a first component 100 and a second component 200 that can be joined together to fasten a garment. The method 300 includes a first stage 310 of manufacturing a set 24 of first components 100 and a second stage 320 of manufacturing a set 26 of second components 200.

[0026] 3B , a first stage 310 of manufacturing the set 24 of first components 100 includes step 312 of manufacturing first bodies 116. The first stage 310 further includes step 314 of forming first conductive paths 110 and first conductive fasteners 104 on the first bodies 116. The first conductive fasteners 104 are formed / arranged as a plurality of rows 106 and a plurality of columns 108. The first conductive paths 110 are conductively arranged along the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. The first stage 310 further includes step 316 of distributing the first bodies 116 into a set of first body portions, which are first substrates 102. Each of the first substrates 102 includes a set of first conductive paths 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 first parts 100 each comprising one of the first substrates 102.

[0027] 3C , a second stage 320 of manufacturing the set 26 of second components 200 includes step 322 of manufacturing second bodies 216. The second stage 320 further includes step 324 of forming second conductive paths 210 and second conductive fasteners 204 on the second bodies 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 step 326 of distributing the second bodies 216 into a set of second body portions, which 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, a different number 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 component 100 are engageable with and can form a conductive connection therethrough with the second conductive fasteners 204 of the second component 200 to couple 22 the first component 100 and the second component 200 together. Specifically, at least row 108 of the first conductive fasteners 104 are engageable 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, first conductive pathways 110 and first conductive fasteners 104 are formed on first body 116 so as to be in electrical contact with each other. Similarly, in step 324, second conductive pathways 210 and second conductive fasteners 204 are formed on second body 216 so as to be in electrical contact with each other. In some embodiments, first conductive fasteners 104 and second conductive fasteners 204 are first attached to first body 116 and second body 216, respectively, such as by stitching with a conductive thread. Thereafter, first conductive pathways 110 and second conductive pathways 210 are conductively disposed along rows 106 of first conductive fasteners 104 and rows 206 of second conductive fasteners 204, respectively. For example, the above-described 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-described 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 fasteners 104 and the second conductive fasteners 204 are sufficiently exposed on the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively, to facilitate the above-described sewing of the conductive yarn along the first conductive fasteners 104 and the second conductive fasteners 204.

[0031] In some other embodiments, the order of formation may be reversed. For example, in step 314, first conductive paths 110 are first formed in rows on first body 116, such as by stitching. Then, first conductive fasteners 104 are attached to the first conductive paths 110 formed on first body 116, such as by stitching or rivets, such that the rows 106 of first conductive fasteners 104 correspond to the rows of first conductive paths 110. Similarly, in step 324, second conductive paths 210 are first formed in rows on second body 216. Then, second conductive fasteners 204 are attached to the formed second conductive paths 210, such that the rows 206 of second conductive fasteners 204 correspond to the rows of second conductive paths 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 component 100 and the second component 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 component 110 and the second component 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 component 100 and the second component 200. Optionally, for each garment fastening 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 FIGS. 4A and 4B , after the stitching operation, some excess or overhangs 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 trimming of the overhangs 118 and 218, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B . Specifically, for each first substrate 102, the first body 116 is distributed such that the end 112 of the first conductive path 110 extends approximately 5 mm beyond the first body 116. Similarly, the second body 216 is distributed such that for each second substrate 202, the end 212 of the second conductive path 210 extends approximately 5 mm beyond the second body 216. It will be understood that the extension of the end portions 112 and 212 beyond the first body 116 and the second body 216, respectively, can vary as desired, such as depending on the application of the fastener product 20. Ends 112 and 212 are for connecting to electronic components of the garment to perform various electronic functions and operations.

[0035] 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. FIG. 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 fastening product 20, and therefore a more secure fit 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 bodies 116 are distributed such that the first conductive pathways 110 formed on the first substrate 102 are separately disposed 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 performing different electronic operations by fastening to different rows 106. In some other embodiments of the first component 100, such as those shown in FIG. 6B , the first bodies 116 are distributed such that the first conductive pathways 110 formed on the first substrate 102 are continuously disposed along all of the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104. In this manner, the rows 106 function as a single, continuous connection to the electronic component of the garment. It will be understood that the above-described 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 as multiple rows on the first body 116, 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 design and characteristics of the conductive ink, may depend on the end use of the garment fastening product 20 and the garment. Next, the first conductive fasteners 104 are attached to the first conductive pathways 110 formed on the first body 116, such as by stitching or rivets, such that the rows 106 of the first conductive fasteners 104 correspond to the rows of the first conductive pathways 110. It will be understood that the above-described 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 first conductive fastener 104 and second conductive fastener 204. In some other embodiments, first conductive fastener 104 and second conductive fastener 204 comprise interengageable snap fit fasteners or snap buttons, as shown in FIGS.

[0039] In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the present disclosure relating to a garment fastening product 20 and a method 300 for manufacturing the garment fastening product 20 have been described with reference to the provided figures. The description of various embodiments herein is not intended to specify or limit only particular or specific expressions of the present disclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure contributes to addressing at least one of the noted problems and issues associated with the prior art. While only some embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light 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. Therefore, 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 clothing fastener product for clothing, a first article and a second article connectable to each other to fasten the garment; The first article comprises: 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 second article comprises: a second substrate; and an array of 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 of the first article is engageable with at least one row of the second conductive fasteners of the second article to join the first article and the second article together and form a conductive connection therebetween in the garment. product.

2. the first conductive pathway is stitched to the first substrate along the row of the first conductive fasteners; 10. The article of manufacture of claim 1.

3. the first conductive pathway includes a conductive yarn; 3. The product of claim 2.

4. the first conductive pathways are printed in a plurality of rows on the first substrate; the rows of the first conductive fasteners are attached corresponding to the rows of the first conductive paths; 10. The article of manufacture of claim 1.

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

6. the first conductive pathways are disposed continuously along all rows of the first conductive fasteners; A 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 product according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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

9. the first conductive path is connectable to an electronic component of the garment; A product according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The row of the first conductive fasteners on the first item is equal to the row of the second conductive fasteners on the second item; A product according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The first conductive fastener and the second conductive fastener include mutually engageable male and female fasteners.

11. A product according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The garment is underwear. A product according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for manufacturing a plurality of garment fastener products, comprising: Each garment fastening product includes a first item and a second item connectable to each other to fasten a garment; The method includes manufacturing a plurality of the first articles; The step of manufacturing a plurality of the first articles comprises: 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 among a plurality of first substrates, each of the first substrates including a set of the first conductive paths and an array of the first conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows; obtaining each of the plurality of first articles comprising a respective one of the first substrates; The step of manufacturing a plurality of the second articles comprises: 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 one or more columns, the second conductive pathways being conductively disposed along the rows of the second conductive fasteners; distributing the second bodies among a plurality of second substrates, each of the second substrates including a set of the second conductive paths and an array of the second conductive fasteners formed thereon, the array including equal columns and at least two rows; obtaining each of the plurality of second articles comprising a respective one of the second substrates; in each of the garment fastening products, at least one row of the first conductive fasteners of each of the first articles is engageable with at least one row of second conductive fasteners of each of the second articles to join the first article and each of the second articles together and to form a conductive connection therethrough in the garment; method.

14. The step of forming the first conductive path and the first conductive fastener comprises: attaching the first conductive fastener to the first body; conductively disposing the first conductive pathway along a row of the first conductive fasteners; The method of claim 13.

15. 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; 15. The method of claim 14.

16. The step of forming the first conductive path 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 corresponding to a row of the first conductive pathways; The method of claim 13.

17. The step of forming a row of the first conductive paths; and The steps of attaching the first conductive fasteners each include: stitching to the first body; 17. The method of claim 16.

18. The step of forming the first row of conductive paths, printing on the first body; 17. The method of claim 16.

19. For each of the first substrates, the first body is distributed such that the first conductive path extends beyond each of the first substrates for connection to electronic components of the garment. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

20. The first bodies are distributed so that the first conductive paths formed on each of the first substrates are continuously arranged along all rows of the first conductive fasteners. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19.

21. The first bodies are distributed such that the first conductive paths formed on each of the first substrates are separately arranged along different rows of the first conductive fasteners. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19.

22. For each garment fastener product, the row of the first conductive fasteners in each of the first articles is equal to the row of the second conductive fasteners in each of the second articles; The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21.

23. The garment is underwear. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22.

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